The Perfect Puppy Pupil: Techniques for House Training Your Dog

A puppy peeing on the carpet.

If you are like most dog owners, it takes patience, time, and repetition when you begin to train a puppy or even an adult dog. The challenges of cleaning up accidents, the constant struggle to redirect your pet from spraying the couch, and the ongoing time and skills to teach basic commands are the things that you deal with. Without a doubt, house training your dog is not for the faint of heart!

But once you and your pet have established the basics of house training, the positive effects can last a lifetime. This is why your team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants to give you the tools and techniques for house training your dog. Let’s begin!

Continue…

Deciphering Adult Dog and Puppy Interactions

dog and puppy interacting with woman

When an adult dog and a puppy are introduced, the results can be devastatingly cute. 

Much like human children, puppies are often unencumbered by normal social cues and norms. This endearing quality can cause problems, however, especially among dogs who do not have a lot of patience for puppy behavior .

When allowing adult dog and puppy interactions to occur, Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants you to know what is normal, what’s not, and when it’s time for you to intervene.

The Normal Order of Things

Puppies are playful, and they can be a whole lot of fun to watch. Normal puppy body language may include play gestures such as:

Continue…

Is Training a Kitten Not to Bite or Scratch Even Possible?

Kittens playing.

Kittens love to play, but the predatory instincts that guide them can cause accidental harm to their partner. Additionally, owners can inadvertently reinforce bad behaviors by using their hands and fingers to entice their kitten to play. Training a kitten your rules for play isn’t hard, but it requires consistency and patience. With our tips, you’ll be playing without blood in no time!

Continue…

Raising a Puppy in an Apartment: Puppy 101

Raising a puppy in an apartment.

Your quarters may be cramped, but your heart is overflowing with love to spare, so why not adopt a puppy? While your desire to add a furry companion to your environment may be strong, there are some important aspects of raising a puppy in an apartment that you need to consider before taking the plunge.

At Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital, we completely understand the joy and companionship that pets bring to our lives. We want you and your puppy to live happily ever after, so here are some tips that can help. 

Continue…

How to Help Your New Kitten Feel at Home

A kitten waiting to be adopted to it's new home.

Adopting a kitten is definitely the easy part. It’s bringing them home to their new environment that can have challenges. There are many variables at play, and once you resolve one issue another can pop up in its place. In other words, you have to constantly stay in front of potential problems. Luckily, it’s super fun to spend time with a kitten and their cuteness makes any extra effort 100% worth it. To help you prepare for the amazing experience of living with a feline, the team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital has some tips and tricks to help your new kitten feel right at home.

Continue…

Your Puppy Pupil: Training a New Puppy

A puppy yawning

What could possibly be sweeter than a little puppy? If you are the proud pet parent of a new puppy, you are probably filled with excitement and wonder, as well as a little trepidation. Many pet owners jump at the chance to adopt a puppy, but then wonder how this tiny tot could be so destructive, and when will they ever learn to potty outside and not on the rug? 

Your friends at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital know the struggle. This is why we are here to give you a few pointers on training a new puppy so you can raise them to be an even more amazing dog.

Continue…

Digging Doggie: How to Stop Your Dog from Digging 

Dog digging in Rocklin, CA yard

Dogs and digging kind of go hand-in-hand. After all, their wild predecessors required good digging skills to pull up roots and other things they can eat. This necessary skill is not always appreciated when it comes to your dug up flower bed, however! Since your dog has the natural instinct to dig, it may begin in puppyhood and continue throughout their adult life, if not redirected. 

If you have a digging doggie, the team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital is sympathetic. We are here with some pointers on how to stop your dog from digging and improve their great behavior.

Continue…

Potty Pants: Does Your Pet Need Dog Diapers? 

A white dog wearing a pet diaper

When your pet is prone to accidents, it can be a challenge for both you and your little one. Cleaning up pee and feces on the daily is not something most of us would be happy about, which is why diapers seem like the right choice. There are some great reasons why dog diapers can be useful for pet parents who are experiencing the challenges of poor potty skills. 

The team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital takes a look at dog diapers and their uses, and why they may, or may not, be good for your fur friend.

Continue…

Why Cat Wellness Care Can’t Wait

A cat rolling on the floor

Regular wellness care is important for all pets, but it tends to take a back seat when it comes to cats. Unfortunately, many cats don’t receive the medical care they need until their problems become more severe.

Making a commitment to preventive cat wellness gives your pet the best chance at overall health and longevity.

Kitten Care

The first few days and weeks with a new pet is thrilling, and it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement. However, keep in mind that one of the most important things you can provide for your new kitten is their first visit to the veterinarian.

Continue…

Putting Your Best Paw Forward: Kitten Care Basics

A gray kitty hiding in a corner

Bringing home a new furry baby can be one of the most exciting things to happen to your family, and of course you want to make sure that you get off to a purr-fect start. The staff at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital is your resource for the best kitten care practices!

Prepping for a Good Start

Being prepared for something is often half the battle when it comes to success.

Continue…