Category Archives: Behaviour problems

Toilet train your rabbit today

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Posted on May 8, 2012 by Petplan

Q: Can I train my granddaughters’ rabbit? She won’t use the plastic tray that we bought. We don’t want her to be uncomfortable in a wet hutch.

A: Rabbits are generally very clean pets and will naturally choose one spot in their hutch to go to the toilet. Watch your rabbit over a number of days and you’ll see which spot she’s chosen, then place the litter Read more >

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Spraying: everything you need to know

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Posted on April 23, 2012 by Petplan
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Spraying is usually done by cats to mark their territory. But if your cat is spraying inside your home, or excessively, it could be anxious. Here’s what to do about it… From the current issue of PetPeople magazine.

What is?
Spraying is normal behaviour for cats, but is a problem when it occurs in the home. Scent is incredibly important to cats. Read more >

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How to control your dog in the park

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Posted on March 19, 2012 by Petplan

Q: My dog always barks at other dogs in the park. He’s never attacked a dog, but he doesn’t sound friendly. When we walk somewhere new, he doesn’t bark, and even plays with other dogs. Why?

A: As your dog is friendly towards other dogs when he’s walked in a new area, I don’t think his behaviour is related to a fear of dogs. If you walk him in the same park frequently, it’s possible your dog may regard that park as part of his territory. He is probably Read more >

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How to conquer ‘little dog syndrome’

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Posted on March 5, 2012 by Petplan

Q: I have an 18-month-old Yorkshire Terrier called Butler who barks like mad when anybody comes in the house. When I take him for a walk he tries to bite people’s ankles. Can you help?


A: This sounds like a classic case of ‘little dog syndrome’, where your dog is nervous and uses aggression to keep people away. If the barking has gone on for the first 18 months of Butler’s life, then Read more >

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Stop your dog barking at strangers

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Posted on January 19, 2012 by Petplan

Q: My dog is normally well behaved, but when he’s left in the car while I go shopping, he barks at passers-by. Why is he doing this? A: We often use the car to take our dogs for a walk, … Read more >

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One-minute guide to… Separation anxiety

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Posted on January 9, 2012 by Petplan
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Many people are now returning to work after time at home over the festive period – but dog owners could find that their pet finds the long periods alone traumatic, resulting in problematic behaviour that needs to be tackled. Inga … Read more >

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Does your cat need more litter trays?

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Posted on January 5, 2012 by Petplan

Q: I have three cats and they have one litter tray between them, but my vet has said that I should have more trays. Why is this? A: When cats defecate outdoors, they normally urinate and excrete in separate locations. … Read more >

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Controlling your dog’s barking

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Posted on January 2, 2012 by Petplan

Q: My dog loves people, but she constantly barks at the postman and delivery people. Why might she be doing this? A: This is quite a common problem with dogs. As dogs are pack animals, they have a very strong … Read more >

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Moving house – helping your pet to cope

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Posted on December 26, 2011 by Petplan

Q: I’ve had my two nine-year-old feral cats since they were kittens. I’ve downsized from a house with eight acres of land, where the cats hunted mice. Since I moved, the male cat has turned on me. How can I … Read more >

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How to stop your cat spraying

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Posted on December 8, 2011 by Petplan

Q: My 14-year-old Siamese-cross cat Max has started to spray everywhere, especially if he cannot get his own way. What can I do? A: Spraying is the most common behaviour problem I see in cats. As Max has not sprayed … Read more >

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