Dogs can bring a lot of joy to our lives, but they can also be extremely destructive. Here are some tips for discouraging destructive behaviors.

Start by providing your dog with acceptable alternatives. For example, if your dog loves chewing on shoes, provide him with plenty of chew toys. Surround him with pig ears, rawhide, and rubber treat toys. That way, he will have no reason to head for your sneakers.

A lot of dogs become destructive because they’re bored. This is especially true if you leave your dog at home for long periods of time. Instead of taking off for work first thing in the morning, spend some time walking or playing with your dog. That way he is able to burn some energy, which will cause him to be less restless while you’re gone.

To eliminate a medical cause for your dog’s destructive behavior, ... Read more »

Even though movies and TV shows might portray cats and dogs as natural enemies, your pets can become friends. Here are some tips for introducing your new puppy to your existing cat.

For the first introduction, leave the puppy in the crate. Allow your cat to inspect and sniff him from outside the crate. After your dog has a chance to settle into his room, take him outside and allow your cat in the room to sniff around some more.

If everything seems to be going well, introduce your puppy to your cat on a leash and monitor the behavior of both of your pets. If your cat doesn’t become violent and your puppy doesn’t seem scared, you can probably let him off the leash. Just make sure there are plenty of vertical spaces so your cat can escape your puppy’s attention.

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