Addressing Behavioral Needs During Pet Boarding

Some pet owners may shy away from pet boarding because they’re unsure or wary about how their dog behaves around other dogs. If you’ve had a negative encounter at the dog park or even walking your dog on the street amongst other dogs, do not let that you deter you from boarding your pet.

A reputable pet boarding facility is a great place for trained staff to address your dog’s behavioral needs during playtime with other animals. There, they can separate dogs that are playing too rough together, allow for calming breaks when a dog is overstimulated or displaying inappropriate play behavior, or even provide a fun and entertaining experience for dogs that do better away from other pets. Always keep in mind that the top priority of a boarding facility is to keep your dog and the other guests safe and happy throughout their stay.

Interested in booking a stay for your pet? Contact our friendly team in Fort Myers FL!

Why Is My Dog Stressed Out?

Many pet owners may at some point deal with their pets becoming stressed out or showing signs of anxiety in certain situations - or even all of the time! It may come out of nowhere, or it might be a problem that you have been dealing with since bringing your pet home. For some, a stressed pet can lead to a stressed owner, especially if you’re unable to uncover the source.

For the best understanding of what could be causing your pet’s anxiety, we recommend speaking with your veterinarian and also an animal behaviorist.

Here are a few of the most common pet stressors:

• Separation Anxiety: Many pets do not enjoy being left alone in the home and being away from their family. If you find that your pet is stressed when you return home after being out of the house for a while, or that your pet is displaying destructive behavior while you’re away, this could be the reason.
• Thunder: Loud noises can be extremely bothersome to many animals, especially since they have very sensitive hearing. There are a lot of solutions that can help to relieve some of the nervousness that pets experience during storms - ask your veterinarian for advice on the best course of action for you.
• Children in the Home: Though your dog may love your children, it’s possible that they also cause them a high level of stress. Children can be loud and move in ways that are threatening to dogs. They also can tend to play too rough, and they won’t necessarily be able to recognize the signs that they’re making their dog unhappy. Make sure that your pet is getting some time away from your young children, and that you explain to your kids the best way to be respectful of your dog’s personal space and health.

If you’re concerned that your dog may be experiencing stress or anxiety, make an appointment to speak with your veterinarian today.

Dealing with Aggression in Your Dog

Dealing with aggression in your dog can be difficult. Most animals exhibit aggressive behaviors when they are scared or feel threatened, although some may just be aggressive by nature or trained by previous owners or handlers to act aggressively. It can be scary to deal with, especially as a new pet owner.

Fortunately, if your pet is exhibiting aggressive behaviors, there are lots of different methods that can be used to encourage more positive forms of behaving and expressing their fear or discomfort in certain situations.

The first step should always be to speak with your veterinarian, who can offer you the right resources and confirm that no behaviors can be attributed to any physical or mental ailments. They should also be able to point you in the right direction of a professional trainer or animal behaviorist who will be able to work with you and your pet.

If you’re unsure of how your pet is behaving around other people, ask the staff at you boarding facility or your dog walker if they’ve noticed any aggressive tendencies in your dog to ensure that any concerns are being properly addressed before they get out of hand.