Dogs are pack animals. They need clear structures and consistent rules to feel comfortable. Your dog should know its place in your family from the very beginning. A dog that obeys well is socially acceptable. Your fellow human beings will appreciate this. And you will enjoy being out in public with your dog more. Loving but consistent training is the basis for peaceful and stress-free coexistence between dogs and humans.
The earlier, the better: When you bring a puppy home, start training immediately. Young dogs are eager to learn and completely unbiased about their environment. Use this to playfully teach your puppy what you expect from him.
Consistency: Be clear and consistent in the rules you set for living together. If you handle situations differently each time, it will be difficult for your dog to internalize the desired behavior.
Structure: A fixed daily routine makes things easier for your dog. Try to stick to regular times for training, feeding, and walks.
Consistent commands: All family members should use exactly the same commands. These can be hand signals or short commands such as "sit." Remember that dogs do not understand the meaning of human language.
It's all in the tone: Be firm and consistent in your tone of voice, but don't shout. Dogs respond better to a calmer voice.
Step by step: Don't overwhelm your dog by introducing too many rules and commands at once. Do this step by step.
Rewards: Training is successful when you reward positive behavior instead of punishing negative behavior. Praise your dog immediately when he does something right. This should be done right away so that he understands the connection to his behavior. If you reward him with treats, be mindful of the amount so that the extra calories don't add up.
Success: End each training session on a positive note with a sense of achievement – for your dog and for you. Finish with something that is easy for him to do.
Socialization: This is an important part of development. Start early on introducing your puppy to strangers, other dogs, and other animals. This will help him learn to be friendly and fearless around them from the start.
Lots of patience: Be patient with your dog. Training requires lots of repetition. There will always be setbacks, but with patience and perseverance, you will achieve your goal.
Rabies is a viral infection that has been known for thousands of years. Most mammals, including humans, are susceptible to it, and it can also be transmitted between animals and humans (zoonosis). The infection caused by the rabies virus almost always results in fatal brain inflammation. Rabies is a notifiable animal disease in Germany, which means that even suspected cases must be reported to the competent authorities. Germany has been recognized as free of rabies in non-flying animals since 2008. It continues to occur in bats.
Blood in the ear, which primarily occurs in dogs with drooping ears, refers to a specific type of hematoma in the outer ear. Affected dogs display a sudden swelling and warmth in the ear. In most cases, an underlying disease is the cause of a bloody ear. It is therefore extremely important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian in order to successfully treat the underlying disease and the hematoma itself.
Pigs are sociable animals that can become very attached to humans. With sufficient space and a love for these intelligent creatures, living together can be a great joy. However, anyone considering keeping a mini pig like a cat or dog, i.e. in their home, should first read up extensively on the subject and study the needs of a small pig. These are no different from those of large pigs. Mini pigs are sometimes called "teacup pigs" because a piglet is so small right after birth that it fits in a teacup. But mini pigs grow naturally and quickly gain weight. To keep them happy, a mini pig needs enough space and an outdoor enclosure.
Also known as wet tail disease, this infectious diarrhea mainly affects very young hamsters between three and eight weeks old. It can lead to death within 48 hours and must therefore be taken very seriously.
This chronic inflammatory bowel disease occurs in dogs and cats, with a genetic predisposition suspected in certain dog breeds (boxers, German shepherds). IBD is triggered by an excessive reaction of the immune system, can affect both the small and large intestines, and is incurable.
A balanced and species-appropriate diet is an important part of animal health. There are veterinary practices specializing in animal nutrition and dietetics that can advise on feed selection and composition.
Computed tomography is an imaging technique that is an important diagnostic tool in many modern veterinary practices due to its speed and simplicity, as well as the high diagnostic value of the images it produces.
Summer, sun, sunshine – for many, it's the best time of year. However, even in our latitudes, temperatures are increasingly reaching tropical levels. And with them come annoying insects. The following tips will make life easier for your horse in summer.
Your cat will undoubtedly come home with minor injuries from time to time – or show signs that it is not feeling entirely well. In such cases, it is good to have a suitable first aid kit at home.
Named after Swiss ophthalmologist Johann Friedrich Horner (1831–1886), Horner syndrome is not a separate disease, but rather a complex of various symptoms affecting the eyes of dogs and cats, all of which are caused by damage to the sympathetic nerve.
Fleas are small, blood-sucking parasites found worldwide. Their enormous jumping ability allows them to move quickly on and between their hosts. This can lead to veritable flea infestations. The most important measure is prevention.
Dirofilaria are long threadworms whose larvae are transmitted by various species of mosquitoes. Depending on the species, they colonize either the skin or the large blood vessels of the lungs, and in severe cases, the heart. This is why they are known as heartworms. Dirofilaria and the mosquitoes that transmit them are mainly found in the Mediterranean region, Eastern Europe, and North America. The disease is brought to Germany by travelers and through the importation of dogs from abroad. Due to the climate-related spread of mosquitoes to the north, it is becoming increasingly important.
