Posts in Category: Training & Behavior

Congratulations on your decision to welcome a new puppy into your home! The responsibilities of puppy parenting are many, and puppy social training should be a top priority.

When it comes to pets, socialization means introducing them to new people, new experiences, and other animals, and the sooner you begin, the better. Dogs that are properly socialized from a young age have more confidence, adapt better to different settings and circumstances, and are less fearful of new experiences.

If you’re wondering how to socialize a puppy, read on for information from our team at Godspeed Animal Care.

In general, the public does not view the feline species as trainable like their canine counterparts. In reality, though, cats can be taught many things. You just need to know how to motivate them! Things like toilet training a cat are totally possible when you know how, and Godspeed Animal Care wants to share all of our tips and tricks with you.  

Dogs are incredible companions, a fact not lost on the millions of American households. They become such a seamless part of our lives, it’s almost like they were meant for us. But, depending on their breed, some dogs could actually be a lot happier if their lifestyles or environments got a fuel injection. Highly active dog breeds need more than love and protection to truly thrive. If you’re looking for an entry into the high-octane world of intelligent, performance-driven dogs, we’ve got you covered.

Cat owners know that no matter how well-behaved their feline friend may be, the odds are that over the course of the cat’s lifetime, urine will end up where it’s not supposed to be. And the ammonia-like, pungent odor is hard to forget—and hard to eliminate. 

Taking your pet for a fun outing at the local dog park sounds like an enjoyable activity for a lazy summer afternoon. There are definitely some things to consider before packing up the SUV and heading over, though. Public dog parks are not without some potential dangers, and Godspeed Animal Care thinks that it is important for pet owners to be aware of how to avoid trouble. 

Dogs communicate with us in many ways—through looks, barks, whines, wags of their tails, and more. One form of communication that is often misinterpreted is the wagging tail. Contrary to popular belief, a wagging tail does not always equal a happy dog. Your dog’s tail movements could be signifying something else entirely. 

If you’re lucky enough to share your life with a cat, you know it’s only because your cat has approved of the conditions. It’s not that they aren’t as loyal or affectionate as their canine counterparts, but domesticated cats are still, at their very core, quite wild. Humans have lived with dogs for 30 millennia; cats for only a third of that time. If they are nearly physically and genetically identical to their wild cousins, how is it that domesticated cats have successfully found their way into human communities?

Your dog is your best friend, and it goes without saying that they love everything about you. Well, almost everything. As close as we may feel to our canine companions, dogs and people are separate species with different ways of communicating, and even the sweetest or most laid-back dogs can strongly dislike some of the things humans do.

In order to make your life with your furry pal as harmonious as possible, make sure you aren’t on the wrong side of our list of 10 things dogs hate!

It’s easy to take it personally when your cat scratches up your couch cushions, bites your ankles as you pass by, chews up your (non-toxic) houseplants. They aren’t doing any of this to make you mad; instead, they are answering to their internal “call of the wild”. Indoor cats can easily become bored, and the lack of stimulation can lead to undesirable behaviors.

With positive reinforcement, guidance, and a lot of patience, you can train your incredibly intelligent cat – and stop destructive cat behavior before it becomes a habit.

When a pet shakes and trembles for no apparent reason, a pet parent will naturally be concerned. Trembling in dogs is not an uncommon condition, but that doesn’t make it any less worrisome.

If you have a shaky pup, the team at Godspeed Animal Care is here to investigate the causes and conditions that lead to this problem. Read on to learn more!