Videos

Bringing out the best in a cat or dog is a hands-on task. Seeing it in a video is often better than reading it. My goal with these videos is to make behavior management easier to understand and implement.

Asian elephant “Irene” follows all but one of her trainer’s cues

By drjeffnichol | April 14, 2025 | Comments Off on Asian elephant “Irene” follows all but one of her trainer’s cues
irene

Irene is 58 years old and doing well except that she can’t seem to lie down when asked or when trying to sleep at night. Is she painful? Find out more https://drjeffnichol.com/aging-isnt-for-sissy-elephants/

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The Vet is in the House

By drjeffnichol | April 7, 2025 | Comments Off on The Vet is in the House
dog

Dr Jeff Nichol joins the dog pound to talk ticks, licks & sticks for your pooch.

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Puppy Planning Preventing Panic with Early Socialization

By drjeffnichol | March 31, 2025 | Comments Off on Puppy Planning Preventing Panic with Early Socialization
puppies

When well-meaning dog lovers approach or reach for your dog, does she tremble, growl, or lunge? Early puppy socialization means exposing them to gentle people and pets. It’s a great way of preventing fear-driven, defensive aggressive behavior later. Healthy behavior management should start as early as age 7 weeks.

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Dogs listen also by watching us

By drjeffnichol | January 27, 2025 | Comments Off on Dogs listen also by watching us
woman standing with dog

Why do dogs follow commands like sit and stay if they don’t understand English? When we speak are dogs processing the words we are saying, or the tone we are using? Our dogs don’t miss anything, even though they don’t understand everything.

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Puppy training – Forget dominance. It’s not on their mind

By drjeffnichol | March 24, 2025 | Comments Off on Puppy training – Forget dominance. It’s not on their mind
puppy

During Luna’s first weeks she missed out on gentle social exposures, causing her to be afraid when approached by anyone. Well-meaning human attempts to make friends triggered defensive lunging and snapping. You can side-step fearful encounters for your puppy by providing the kid with choices. Let your puppy choose to interact when she is ready. And NO DOMINANCE moves. Dogs were not put on this earth to challenge us humans for global supremacy.

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Time Out for Nutball – Everybody needs to Feel Better

By drjeffnichol | January 20, 2025 | Comments Off on Time Out for Nutball – Everybody needs to Feel Better
puppy on a leash

A dog will believe that any response from its person is an earned reinforcer. That’s why reprimands and punishments fail. To stop digging the hole even deeper you’ll need to ignore everything you don’t want. But sometimes the nipping, mouthing, and body slamming continue anyway.

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Dogs who Wet their Pants

By drjeffnichol | March 3, 2025 | Comments Off on Dogs who Wet their Pants
dog

More commonly seen in young, often female dogs, they roll onto their sides, may raise one rear leg, and dribble. You, the pet parent, are the Grand Poobah for your dog. Excitement/submissive urine soiling occurs only when you make your grand entrance.

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Dog on Furniture – Get Off!

By drjeffnichol | December 30, 2024 | Comments Off on Dog on Furniture – Get Off!
dog on furniture

Dogs who are told to get off the furniture repeat their crimes when the boss is out of sight. Consistency and kindness matter.

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Fat Cat? Exercise by Eating

By drjeffnichol | March 17, 2025 | Comments Off on Fat Cat? Exercise by Eating
cat

Cats aren’t hard-wired to be couch potatoes. They are meant to hunt and pull the guts out of the helpless creatures that keep them alive. It’s not pretty but it’s nature’s way. You can import a dozen lab mice to turn loose in your living room (not a good idea, really) or you can provide all of your cat’s food from food-dispensing toys like the Twist ‘n Treat that Gaston is scavenging from. He expends energy and stays busy doing work that is similar to his innate survival skills. And he’s taken off a bit of that holiday weight gain.…

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Animals trained to work

By drjeffnichol | February 24, 2025 | Comments Off on Animals trained to work
woman training elephant

Training gives pets purpose and it’s good for our bond with them. This Asian elephant is happy to work and earn interactions and food rewards. It was great fun to be up close for this performance but I’ll stick with teaching skills to my own dog. His food is cheaper and the clean-up is a bit less labor intensive.

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