House soiling in cats occurs when they urinate or defecate outside their litter box. Urination or defecation (pooping) outside the litter box falls into two categories: toileting and marking. Toileting often indicates an underlying medical condition or incomplete litter box training. Marking, or middening, occurs when a cat uses feces instead of urine to make a statement or communicate. While less common than urine marking, both marking behaviors are normal (although undesirable to humans) and often serve as a way for cats to express themselves or send a message. Medical Reasons for House Soiling (Feces) If your cat is defecating outside the

Q: My trainer told me I should let my two dogs sort things out if they’re arguing. Should I let them or interrupt them? A: When conflict happens between dogs living together, their caregivers may wonder if they should interrupt or allow the dogs to work it out. Although dogs have their own communication skills with other canines, allowing them to resolve serious arguments without intervening can be physically and behaviorally dangerous. Minor disagreements, such as a quick growl or lip lift over a toy or a hard stare when one dog gets too close to the other’s food bowl,

Training your dog to put their front paws up on an object is a foundational exercise that improves body awareness and can be used in parkour, physical therapy, confidence-building exercises, and cooperative care. It is a useful skill for introducing dogs to stairs or ramps, getting into cars, or stepping onto weight scales. Often referred to as ‘feet up’ or ‘paws up,’ this behavior can be taught using lure, capture, and shaping methods. Luring involves holding a high-value treat near your dog’s nose to guide them into position. The treat is moved in small measures toward the target object to

Dogs use gestures, such as lip licking, signaling that they are non-threatening and want to avoid conflict

Cat caregivers often face this challenge, worrying that their homes will never be safe from scratching damage. Before you lose hope, understand a simple truth: scratching is normal.

A boarding facility can be challenging for dogs, often leading to stress because they are separated from their caregivers and home. Look for these calming techniques that help reduce stress and anxiety when visiting a boarding facility.