Posts in Category: Training & Behavior

Anyone that has ever owned a dog, or even watched classic cartoons featuring dogs, knows that dogs dig. Some like to do it more than others, and while your pup may not make it all the way to China like his animated associates, it can be a pretty destructive behavior. 

Digging dogs can be quite the challenge for pet owners, especially those who want to keep a nice yard. While we don’t have all the answers, Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital does have some good ideas to keep digging dogs redirected.

Even if diapers have already been a fact of your life, incontinence in dogs can be especially frustrating. Dealing with slippery puddles, unexpected spots on the carpet, not to mention the smelly messes in the corner and all the health problems associated with incontinence is not simple. 

Managing urinary incontinence takes patience and perseverance. We love our pets so much that we may often look for solutions from the many online products that are recommended for such situations. 

Luckily, your team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital has some advice for when it’s time to say yes to dog diapers. 

Most of us know that large wild cats, such as tigers, lions, jaguars, and leopards, can definitely roar. But did you know that because they can roar, they lack the ability to purr? Conversely, the domestic cats we know and love purr their hearts out, but they cannot roar. 

The fact that our feline friends purr is one more reason to love them, but that doesn’t mean the mechanism is fully understood. A closer look at why cats purr, and how they do it, may generate an even greater appreciation for these amazing animals.

Ah, cats! They are fun, playful, loving, and fiercely independent. And, they often confuse us with their antics and behavior. Whatever the personality of your cat, there’s no denying they are endlessly fascinating.

Maybe that’s why at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, we never tire of hearing fun cat facts, and we have a feeling you don’t either! 

Physical Prowess

The physical abilities of cats is nothing short of incredible. Did you know that:

There are loads of reasons to adopt a kitten, but you’d be right to pump the brakes if you already have a cat at home. Given abundant time, space and encouragement adult cats or aging seniors can definitely adapt to a new addition. However, their acceptance and tolerance of an interloper/new pal typically do not develop sooner than a few months. 

The best ways to introduce a kitten to your resident cat will require preparation, steadfast dedication, and a few of our go-to tips.

Training a pet to eliminate in the right place – at the right time – can be a hurdle for many pet owners. It’s not always easy, and it never happens overnight. But when it finally clicks, it’s an amazing relief for pets and owners alike. Pet pee pads can definitely help the process of house training, but they can also present certain snags to long term success.

Setting Goals

Housetraining a puppy or teaching a newly adopted grown pet is not something that can be done without time, patience, and consistent positive reinforcement.

Every pet is different and each has their own special preferences. Learning what they like goes a long way toward potty training success. Plus, this is an opportunity for pet owners to gain insight into what motivates their new best friends.

As our best friends, it’s no wonder we want to take our dogs with us everywhere we go. And in this day and age, it’s nearly possible! Still, there are some times when we have to leave our dog home alone, sometimes for longer than we’d like.

So what’s a dog owner to do? 

Luckily, there are ways to leave your best friend at home responsibly, without returning to chewed up shoes and stains on the carpet. Come alone with Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital as we show you steps to follow for safely leaving your dog home alone. 

There are many great reasons to adopt an older dog. Perhaps not surprisingly, the absence of housetraining ranks pretty high. Sure, there might be accidents in the very beginning of your new relationship, but once you train them to go at certain times (and only in designated areas!) a new-to-you adult or senior dog will find their way. 

But this brings up other questions about their behavior. What if you adopt an adult dog that is set in their ways; can you retrain or re-socialize them? Of course! Training an older dog is absolutely possible, and maybe even easier than with a much younger animal.

A recent search for a pet-friendly rental on Apartments.com yielded tons of results – and that’s just in (and around) San Antonio! That’s great news for a pet owner, especially because landlords and property management organizations are generally perceived as “anti-pet”.

With potential for significant damage, disruption and conflict, what can prospective renters do to win over landlords or management companies?

Let’s Stay Together

It can be challenging to find the right pet-friendly rental. In fact, it’s one of the most tragic reasons for re-homing or surrendering a beloved pet to the animal shelter.

Dogs can be puzzling and entertaining, but when they do things that seemingly defy human logic and understanding, owners can go from exasperation to anger in no time.

Consider digging, for example. An innocuous canine behavior most of the time, digging can become pretty destructive for some pets. Let’s take a closer look at why dogs dig and some possible solutions to redirect their one-track mind.