Puppies & Kittens
Puppies & Kittens
The Importance of Puppy Playgroups: Why Socialization Matters
Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. In these early weeks of their lives, proper socialization is key to helping them grow into confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. Small Door Veterinary’s Puppy Playgroup provides a structured, safe environment where puppies can develop essential social skills under professional supervision.
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Puppies & Kittens
Puppy 101: Developing a Positive Vet Experience
Do you enjoy going to the doctor’s office, or hanging out in hospitals? If not, perhaps you can understand why your dog’s favorite place probably isn’t the vet. Let’s face it: vet practices can be stressful places for pets (and their owners). But the good news is that acclimating your puppy to different sounds, smells, people, and animals from an early age can help them create positive behavior traits. And that translates to easier, more positive vet trips for you, your dog, and your vet.
Puppies & Kittens
Puppy 101: Creating Positive Behaviors
Most pet parents adore their new puppies unconditionally, but sometimes behavioral issues can get in the way of puppy love. That’s why it’s important to lay the groundwork for positive behaviors as early as possible. Read on to learn about four key processes you can employ to help your pup become an obedient, tolerant adult dog: socialization, habituation, stimulation, and training.
Puppies & Kittens
How to House Train and Crate Train a Puppy
If you’ve recently brought a new puppy into your house, it’s time to start the process of housetraining them! Getting your pup to do their business in the right spot can be frustrating, even for a seasoned pet parent, but read on for tips on how to housetrain with a minimum of fuss, mess, and stress.
Puppies & Kittens
Kitten 101: Introducing a new cat into the home
A kitten or cat of any age needs time to adjust and adapt to a new home. This is especially true when you introduce a new cat or kitten to your existing pets. While cats tend to be more solitary creatures than our canine friends, they are often found in familial groups in the wild and do enjoy company. It’s important to be patient and consistent when introducing a new cat to your feline family.
Puppies & Kittens
Puppy 101: Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
If you think training your new puppy has to be all about strict discipline and “tough love,” relax: positive reinforcement training is not only effective, it’s also gentle and doesn’t involve yelling or punishment. Read on to learn more about positive reinforcement, and why it’s such an effective method for promoting good behavior.
Puppies & Kittens
Kitten 101: Creating Positive Behaviors
Instilling good behaviors in your new kitten takes practice and patience. It’s important to be consistent and make sure they learn appropriate, positive behaviors to grow into a well-mannered adult cat. There are four key processes you can use to help your kitten learn these good practices: socialization, habituation, stimulation, and training.
Puppies & Kittens
Puppy 101: Why and How We Vaccinate
“Is your dog up to date on his shots?” Whenever you need to take your pup to the groomers, an obedience school, or a kennel, that’s a question you’re likely to hear. That’s because vaccinations are an extremely important part of keeping your dog healthy. But how do vaccinations work, why are they necessary, and how are they administered? Read on for answers to these questions and more.