Posts Tagged ‘aggression’
Biter Rehabbed
Does this first photo scare you? Pepper not only bared her teeth but lunged and sometimes bit her people when they reached for her on the couch or approached her…
Read MoreSmall Dog Protecting Human Mamma?
Ignore the Bad; Reinforce the Good Question: I have a 1 year old neutered male Yorkie who is aggressive at all human family members except me, the mom. It doesn’t…
Read MoreCougar Still Attacks
Last in a series And Stays in His Home Mary Beth was committed to bringing out the best in “Cougar”, not to mention her vested interest in her own safety.…
Read MoreCat Be Gone or Cat Behave?
Second in a series Aggression is never acceptable, especially toward the frail and vulnerable. The science of animal behavior would be central to “Cougar’s” treatment but the elderly lady on…
Read MoreGrowling at Kids?
Find out who won Question: What do I do when this 9 week old puppy growls at the kids when they want to pick her up? She lives to crawl…
Read MoreMedia – Baby Blues
Canine Coping Skills for Twins Question: I have a female Doberman, 5 years old, and a female mixed breed dog, age 10. And 8 months ago I became mom of…
Read MoreSnapping at Mom
Is that OK? Dogs are man’s and woman’s best friends but there are species differences.
Read MoreFence Fighters
Did that really happen? Emotions matter but they can certainly interfere.
Read MoreMedia – Fear & Protective Aggression
Who’s to Blame? Fear is often the in-the-moment reason for canine aggression. Adrenalin-driven reactions aren’t always bad; it’s actually a survival mechanism that’s built into all of us. But if…
Read MoreMedia – Snapping at Mom
Whose Fault? Rehome? Worse? Dogs are man’s and woman’s best friends but there are species differences. They walk on all 4s and they’re a bit hairier but like us, dogs…
Read MoreMedia – Unhealthy neighbor relations lead to loss of limb
A Feud Gone Wrong “Blue’s” backyard was separated from the neighbor’s by your average chain link fence. Some dogs ignore this contrivance but for others it’s a formula for disaster.…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Ballistic Cat: Stranger Danger Dogs & Humans
A normally placid pussy cat can turn terrifying when facing unfamiliar visitors of the human or canine kind. They can even be dangerous.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – New Dog – Will they play nice? They don’t?
Has a new dog stirred the political pot at your house? Or maybe you’re thinking of adding to your pet family. Wanna avoid the brawls?
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Fear & Loathing at the Veterinary Clinic
A whole lot of pets are unhappy going to the doctor. Veterinarians don’t mean to scare anybody but we can work with loving pet parents to reduce the angst. White…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Dog Parks – the Good the Bad & the Ugly
Running and playing with other dogs is good exercise and fun for everybody – unless your dog or someone else’s reacts badly. Should puppies go too?
Read MoreMedia – Freaked-out by Strangers & Sick when Alone
The Mind-Body Connection is Worth Investing Lulu is a sweet, 2 year old Australian cattle dog who was adopted from a shelter just 2 months before I met her. She…
Read MoreMedia – Feline Fights in a Fishbowl
Peace & Privacy Question: I need advice on displaced aggression in my 2 cats that are normally very loving to each other. It started after a neighborhood cat started appearing…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Cat Attack – Swat, Squirt, Declaw, Rehome?
Aggression and destructive behavior are not what we cat lovers have in mind when adopting a pet. Injuries and furniture damage have to stop! Hint: What feels best actually works…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Scary Monsters at your Door
Halloween is unfun for a lot of dogs. Those who bark and lunge at children put the kiddos at risk. Those who pilfer chocolate treats put themselves in danger.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – No Welcome Mat Can a Feline Newcomer Find Love?
If you’re a cat lover like me you may want even more of them. But kitties stuck inside together can struggle badly: threats, aggression, and house soiling are miserable for…
Read MoreMedia – Alien Invasion
Can Old Cats & Young Puppies Mix? Question: We have a 15 year old cat who is well, happy and calm. In September we will receive a Golden-Doodle puppy from…
Read MoreMedia – Dog Aggressive to Movements of Family
Teach, Don’t Punish Question: My 2 year old female Corgi will fight any dogs or people that get too close. While she’ll let me pet her, she will not get…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Do Bad Dogs Bite?
It’s so upsetting getting bitten by a dog you love. Should you punish? What happens when the trust is lost? Maybe another home would be better – or not? Don’t…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Stranger Danger: Freak-Out at the Veterinary Clinic
Dogs and cats who are frightened or try to bite at the doctor’s office are at serious risk. Without medical care they face unnecessary illness or early death. But that…
Read MoreMedia – Feline Culture Clash
Mutual Disdain Likely to Fester & Explode Question: Apparently this cat found us. She is part of Community Cat Program here in El Paso. She is not feral; she is…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Love-Hate Canine Frenemies
A great friendship can go bad. Aggression between family dogs is common. And the person in-charge doing their best to break it up and make it work can make it…
Read MoreMedia – Feline Family Feud
Social Distancing is Best Question: My mother-in-law is living in nursing home/hospice. We are seeing her Miss Pearl twice a day for feeding and social time. We would love to…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Derail Leash Aggression
Out-of-control lunging, barking, and growling! OMG! You’re doing your best to control the mayhem but nothing changes. And besides, punishment is no fun for anybody. Dogs need to do something…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Sharpen Your Dog
A dog who obeys fast and reliably can overcome the urge to lunge and bark and lose its mind on leash walks. What if your dog automatically looked to you…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Leash Walk Freak Out
The leash walk – you’re only way of getting the heck out of the house – can be maddening and maybe even unsafe. Just seeing another creature causes your dog…
Read MoreMedia – Wild & Aggressive On-Leash
Why must a Dog Act-Out? Question: I walk my 2 year old standard poodle on a trail. He’s a great dog. When he’s on a leash he often rears up…
Read MoreMedia – Hissing, Spitting, & Feline Invective
Amusements, Separation before Reconciliation Question: I have two cats that aren’t getting along. One is my husband’s and the other one is mine. We moved in together 7 months ago…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Pet Cat – Nip
Good cats can go bad when petted. Yell at him? Hose him? Just give up on sharing affection with a kitty you love? Much better – find out why a…
Read MoreMedia – Feed Me or Die
Manage – Don’t Suffer or Punish Question: I have a little cat of horrors. He is a 4 year old black American Short hair and when he is hungry he…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Pets at Work
Build morale! A shared passion! Bring your own? Barking, biting, messes, bathroom breaks? I love office pets. The shoulds of rules and accountability.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Painful or Freaked-Out when Alone
Our pets bring us so much joy when they’re active and playful. When these characters are at peace, I am too. But if they have pain or if they struggle…
Read MoreMedia – Alien Feline Freak-Out
Can New Cat Succeed? Question: I have 2 other cats and since I’ve brought the new guy home it is a divided household. My 2 established cats are terrified of…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Dogs, Family Gatherings Overwhelmed & Badly Behaved
Hey-it’s a holiday. Let the good times roll! Maybe not for everybody. Some pets get badly unsettled and engage in unhealthy and dangerous behaviors because they’re nervous or scared. The…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Cranky Cats & Kids
Does your cat hate kids? Can you turn that around – safely? You can teach your kids how to stay safe and how to set a cat up for success.…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Children & Dog Bites
This is serious business. We want our dogs to be trustworthy with children despite kids being, well, kids.
Read MoreMedia – Big Active Dog Acts Bad on Leash
She can Work to Earn Question: I adopted my lab mix at age 3 months. She has been dominant, aggressive, independent, and a bully from the beginning. She is now…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Cats Gone Wild-Indoors
Cats are predators wherever they live. Satisfy those essential primal urges with this cool Indoor Hunting Feeder.
Read MoreMedia – Fighting Family Dogs
Dangerous to Each Other & People Question: My 2 dogs have been together for 2.5 years. The female has always be passive before the male, however in the last month…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Intense Fear PTSD in Dogs
Severe reactions, nightmares, escape attempts; even aggression can indicate PTSD in dogs. Harsh training methods or physical trauma can provoke this lifelong disorder. There is help for this tough problem.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Cats who Hate each other’s Guts
Dangerous cat fights can worsen fast. Some cats belong together; others don’t. Keep the peace and learn how to give them space from each other.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Cats ‘n Kids
Snuggle Bunnies? Predators? If they’re close to losing impulse control they might actually communicate. Hissing, growling, spitting, ears back, pupils dilated – Cats in this mindset need space. Keep all…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Pets & Kids Make it Safe – Keep it Fun
Make it Safe – Keep it Fun. Did you ever do dumb things when you were a kid? I never did. Well, ah yes, actually I did. I have two…
Read MoreMedia – Cat Urine Spray
Are We Having Fun Yet? Question: I have indoor cats. One of the black cats (Toby) has gotten aggressive with the others and he started to spray about 6 months…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Blog – Time-Out: Everybody Gets a Break
Dogs need Good Manners Some dogs follow their person’s lead and happily go along with just about anything. Others struggle to do the right thing, needing a bit more hands-on…
Read MoreMedia – Food Fight
Prevent It; Don’t Punish It Question: I have a 3 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He has been getting aggressive towards my other two dogs, Malteses, about his food.…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Hissy, Scratchy, Cranky Kitties
Cats are so sweet and cuddly. But they can damage you with their sharp teeth and claws. Don’t get angry – get cat smart.
Read MoreAlbuquerque Journal Article – Trans-window Hissing Contest
Indoor Cats Freaked-Out by Visitor Question: I have 2 cats, 10 months old. We have recently let them go outside. A few days ago another cat showed up in our…
Read MoreAlbuquerque Journal Article – Shocking Food Fights
Avoid Innate Competition Question: I have a 55# pit mix, Molly, with food guarding. I have pet gates set up for feeding to avoid conflict but recently the gate got…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Cars, Cats, & Furry Suits
You’re invited to my Facebook Live event called Holiday Worries for Jangled Pets. I’ll share valuable methods for keeping pets peaceful and avoiding hazards on Wednesday, December 19 at 6…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Blog – Cars, Cats, & Furry Suits
Do you know anybody whose adult life could have been easier and a whole lot happier if they’d been treated better as a child? Not only do I know people…
Read MoreAlbuquerque Journal Article – Cat Snarls & Swats
Fear can be Learned just Once Question: New Mexico Animal Friends has a spayed female foster cat, Twyla, a young tortoiseshell shorthair, who has become difficult at adoption clinics. We…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Podcast – Cat Bites when Petted
As Lily headed toward the bedroom she glanced at her cat as a way of getting a read on his mood. She loved Omar but he could be impetuous. At…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Blog – Fear and Anxiety
I was just 8 years old when I made my first trip to the animal hospital with my new puppy. I felt inspired by the doctor who examined him. He…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Petting Cat – Ouch!
Grooming or petting a cat can be dangerous. Watch for dilated pupils and rippling skin. Physical problems can underlie serious aggression.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Podcast – Cat Bites when Petted
As Lily headed toward the bedroom she glanced at her cat as a way of getting a read on his mood. She loved Omar but he could be impetuous. At…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Blog – Cat Bites when Petted
Lily had just finished putting away her groceries when she walked past Omar, her 2 year old Ragdoll cat. This good lady relied on her fuzzy house mate for more…
Read MoreAggression between Family Dogs
Act Early & Be Careful Question: I have 2 dogs that have been together for 2.5 years. The female has always be passive before the male, however in the last…
Read MoreVideo-Predatory Aggression Against a Child
Heroic Family Cat Derailed a Tragedy Question: I keep seeing this video everywhere and hearing lots of theories about the dog’s behavior. The dog is completely unprovoked, but it also…
Read MoreAggressive Dog on Owners’ Beds
Give Dog her own Bed; Avoid Punishment Question: Usually at night my 8-month young mini pinscher sleeps in my brother’s bed and if someone passes by the room she jumps…
Read MoreFear Aggression toward Visitors
Forget Punishment; Guests mean Good Things Happen Question: We have an 8 month old mix breed dog who is timid but aggressive. We have had her since she was 8…
Read MoreFighting Among Household Dogs
Few things are more unnerving than dogs you love trying to hurt each other. These attacks may seem to happen out of the blue but there are important reasons for…
Read MoreWhy Dogs Bite
Violence, fear, and physical injury are without question, the most difficult challenges you and your dog could ever face. This is very hard for us emotional creatures. We bring dogs…
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