Unraveling the mystery that is your feline friend can be quite challenging. Cuddly and welcoming one moment, then spitting fire the next, a cat’s mood may change in an instant, seemingly without cause. Cats can communicate using the slightest change in body posture, often making it difficult for owners to identify and interpret mood shifts. [...]
January is National Dog Training Month, and we couldn’t be more excited here at Billings Animal Family Hospital! We believe that obedience training is about so much more than having a dog who will follow commands (although, that is important too). When done properly, dog training sets the foundation for a great relationship with your [...]
It’s back to school season…for dogs? Yes! Many canines enjoy the challenges that come with learning new tricks and being mentally and physically put to the test. Higher level training classes, as well as agility training, often appeal to breeds that need to be moving, working, and mentally engaged. […]
It always seems like it happens at the most inopportune moment: Your grandmother is over for dinner, or your kids are hosting a neighborhood playdate. Then, out of nowhere, your normally well-behaved family pet mounts a toy or, worse yet, one of your visitors. What makes dogs engage in this embarrassing behavior? Most pet [...]
Our canine companions are known for having many cute, quirky, and sometimes even bizarre behaviors. Many of them stem from some evolutionary behavior or communication mechanism. Others are just unique to the family dog. You may have noticed your pet licking the ears of another dog, cat, or even human in the household. This borderline [...]
If you’re trying teach your pet a new trick, routine, or behavior, you’ll first need to understand the way your pet communicates. Learning a new language can be tricky at first, but when trying to decipher what your dog is saying with those pinned-back ears or expressive eyebrows, there are a few common denominators [...]
When you bring home a new puppy, you want to do everything exactly right. There is nothing quite like looking into those sweet, trusting eyes knowing that they are depending on you to do what is best. While selecting the right food, picking the perfect collar, and finding just the right doggy bed may be [...]
It’s likely that you’ve never really considered the benefits of crate training your cat… After all, crates are for dogs, right? And we all know that training cats to do anything requires advanced coursework at Hogwarts. Joking aside, though; there are tremendous benefits to crate training cats, and the task itself is not nearly as [...]
Have you ever witnessed your dog or cat dragging his bottom across the grass or worse, yet, your rug? Butt scooting is a common problem, but if your precious pet is doing this more than once in a while, it could be a sign of a serious problem. […]
Congratulations! You’ve made the best decision ever (as far as we’re concerned) by choosing to invite a furry friend into your home and family. As exciting as this is, though; it’s also a time for some careful planning to make sure every-fuzzy gets along for years to come. Surely you’ve planned the pickup and safe [...]