Behavior & Training

The Behavior section examines the emotional and behavioral issues that can influence your pet’s daily life, offering guidance on how to recognize and improve concerning patterns through training, enrichment, and environmental care.

179 articles

Featured in Behavior & Training

A golden retriever puppy sitting on a gray blanket inside an open double-door wire crate

Behavior & Training

Best Puppy Crates: Divider Panels, Size-Up Timing, and Vet-Reviewed Picks

Vet-reviewed guide to puppy crates: why one adult-size crate with a divider beats buying three, how to estimate adult size, which styles suit a chewing puppy, and the crates to set up on day one.

Webvet Editorial Team

October 26, 2026

All Behavior & Training articles

An Australian shepherd lying inside an open grey fabric crate in a tent vestibule at dusk

Behavior & Training

Best Soft Sided Dog Crate and Travel Crate Picks: When Fabric Works and When It Does Not

Vet-reviewed guide to soft-sided dog crates: when fabric works and when it does not, which dogs get through mesh, how to travel and camp with one, and the soft crates worth packing for a calm, crate-trained dog.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 26, 2026

A Chihuahua resting on a soft pad inside a small black wire crate in a sunny living room

Behavior & Training

Best Small Dog Crate Picks for Toy and Small Breeds: Right-Sized, Not Cramped

Vet-reviewed guide to small dog crates: why a toy breed needs a right-sized crate rather than a big one, how to measure, how to tell when a crate is too small, and the wire, plastic, and end-table crates that fit.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 26, 2026

A Great Dane lying on a quilted pad inside a large black wire crate in a living room

Behavior & Training

Best XL Dog Crate Picks for Giant Breeds: XXL Sizes Measured, Built to Last

Vet-reviewed guide to XL dog crates: what makes a crate extra-large, how to measure a giant breed with headroom to spare, wire versus plastic versus wheeled, and six crates for large and giant breeds.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 26, 2026

A hand holding a grey retractable leash handle while a Jack Russell terrier sniffs the grass in a park

Behavior & Training

Best Retractable Dog Leash: Safer Picks, Locking Brakes, and When Not to Use One

Why many vets warn against retractable leashes, when one still makes sense, tape versus cord, and the brake, lock, and weight rating to check. Picks by weight rating and brake type, plus the safer choice for big dogs, pullers, and two-dog walks.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 23, 2026

A golden retriever walking on a leaf-strewn sidewalk beside its owner on a short leather leash

Behavior & Training

Best Dog Leash: Vet-Reviewed Picks by Walking Style, Dog Size, and Material

Vet-reviewed guide to the best dog leash for how you walk: the right length, nylon versus leather versus rope versus biothane, and when a slip lead, long line, or hands-free leash makes sense. Picks for pullers, runners, and new puppies.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 23, 2026

A Pomeranian in a tan mesh vest harness standing on a patio beside terracotta pots

Behavior & Training

Best Dog Harness for Small Dogs: Lightweight, Secure Picks That Protect the Trachea

Vet-reviewed guide to the best dog harness for small dogs: step-in versus vest styles, a snug fit that stops backing out, and why a harness keeps pressure off the trachea. Picks for tiny dogs, small pullers, and puppies.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 23, 2026

A woman kneeling on a clinic floor fastening a harness on an Australian shepherd lying down

Behavior & Training

How to Put On a Dog Harness: Step-by-Step for Every Harness Type, With a Fit Check

How to put on a dog harness, step by step, for step-in, overhead vest, and front-clip designs: which way round it goes, where the clips sit, and the two-finger fit check. Plus how to harness a puppy, a small dog, or a dog that backs away.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 23, 2026

A brindle boxer in a front-clip harness crossing a city street at a crosswalk beside its owner

Behavior & Training

Best No Pull Dog Harness: Front-Clip Picks That Stop Pulling Without Hurting the Neck

Vet-reviewed guide to the best no pull dog harness: how front-clip, dual-clip, and martingale designs redirect a pulling dog, and how to keep the straps off the shoulders. It works best alongside reward-based leash training.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 23, 2026

A black and white border collie in a dark green harness standing on a leaf-covered sidewalk beside its owner, the leash clipped to the harness

Behavior & Training

Best Dog Harness: Vet-Reviewed Picks for Everyday Walks, Pullers, and Small Dogs

Vet-reviewed guide to the best dog harness for your dog: front-clip versus back-clip designs, how to measure chest girth, and how a harness should fit. Picks for steady walkers, large dogs, puppies, and long-backed breeds.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 23, 2026

A golden retriever wearing a grey plastic basket muzzle on a woodland walk with its mouth open inside the basket

Behavior & Training

Best Muzzle for Dogs: Basket, Soft, and Training Picks Sized for Comfort

A fitted basket muzzle lets a dog pant, drink, and take treats while stopping bites and scavenging, which is why vets prefer it over a soft muzzle for anything longer than a nail trim. Here is how to size one, which style suits which dog, plus picks.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 21, 2026

A calm mixed-breed dog wearing a grey fabric wrap vest lying on a rug in a dim living room

Behavior & Training

Best Dog Anxiety Vests: ThunderShirt and Calming Wraps Compared

A dog anxiety vest applies steady, gentle pressure that helps some dogs settle during storms and fireworks and does nothing for others. Here is what the evidence says, when a vest is worth trying, how to size one, and six Chewy picks.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 21, 2026

A boxer dog stepping through the clear flap of a white aluminum pet door panel installed in a sliding glass patio door

Behavior & Training

Best Dog Door for Sliding Glass Door Setups: Panel Inserts That Fit Without Cutting

A panel insert turns a sliding glass door into a dog door in an afternoon with no cutting, which is why renters and owners reach for one. Here is how to measure the track, what the lock and insulation choices mean, and the six panels we would buy.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 21, 2026

A golden retriever pushing through the grey flap of a dog door set in a closed white back door

Behavior & Training

Best Dog Doors: Wall, Door, and Microchip Options for Every Size of Dog

A dog door only works if it is sized right, sealed against weather, and secure against what else might come through it. Here is how to choose between door, wall, electronic, and microchip doors, and the Chewy picks we would install.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 21, 2026

A grey cat stepping through a white flap-style cat door set into a wooden interior door in a sunlit hallway

Behavior & Training

Best Cat Doors: Interior, Exterior, and Microchip Picks a Vet Would Install

A cat door gives your cat access to a litter box room, a porch, or the yard without you playing doorman. Here is how to choose between interior, exterior, window, and microchip doors, how to size one, and the six Chewy picks we would install.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 21, 2026

Corgi puppy inside a fabric playpen on cream carpet nosing a knotted rope toy, with a rubber ring and other small puppy toys nearby

Behavior & Training

Best Dog Toys for Puppies by Age

A puppy's toy needs change four times in its first year. Here are the best dog toys for puppies staged by age from eight weeks to twelve months, plus the size check that keeps a toy from being swallowed.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

Close-up of a cream-coated puppy chewing the end of a ribbed blue-grey textured teething toy, small milk teeth visible against the ridges

Behavior & Training

Puppy Teething Toys: Best Picks by Stage, and What to Avoid

A teething puppy will chew anything, and the wrong chew can crack a tooth that is still coming in. Six vet-informed puppy teething toys matched to the teething stage, plus the hardness test and the chews to avoid.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

Long-haired dapple dachshund burrowing nose-first into a thick green fleece snuffle mat with kibble tucked between the fabric strips

Behavior & Training

Dog Enrichment Toys: DIY Builds, Picks, and Daily Routines

Dog enrichment toys only work when your dog has to solve something to get paid. Here is what each format makes a dog do, six picks by activity, household builds you can make today, no-food ideas, and how much food belongs inside.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

Beagle nosing a weighted treat-dispensing wobbler toy across a light wood floor with kibble pieces scattered beside it

Behavior & Training

Interactive Dog Toys: What Actually Keeps a Dog Busy

Interactive toys ask a dog to solve something for his food or chase something that moves. Compare the five formats, see how many minutes each realistically buys, learn how to stop a dog quitting on a new toy, and find out what is safe to leave out.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

Border collie resting a front paw on a dark wooden sliding puzzle board on hardwood flooring in a living room

Behavior & Training

Dog Puzzle Toys: The Best Picks by Difficulty Level

Most owners buy a puzzle one level too hard, then decide their dog is not interested. Here is how to pick the right starting level, load it without adding calories, and know when a session has run long enough.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

Fawn boxer with a dark mask sitting on weathered wooden porch steps holding a red hollow rubber toy in its mouth

Behavior & Training

KONG Dog Toys: Which Color and Size Is Right for Your Dog?

KONG dog toys come in four rubber formulas and a graded set of sizes, and the color tells you how firm the rubber is. Here is how to match the formula to your dog, size it safely, and stuff it without adding calories.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

German shepherd gripping a thick black solid rubber ring toy in its jaws while standing on sunlit backyard grass

Behavior & Training

Indestructible Dog Toys: Best Picks for Aggressive Chewers

No dog toy is truly indestructible, but some outlast the rest by a wide margin. Compare eight tough chew toys by material, format, and guarantee, and learn the thumbnail test that shows whether a toy is hard enough to fracture a tooth.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

Scruffy medium-sized mixed-breed dog standing on a sunlit backyard deck surrounded by a blue ball, a knotted rope toy, a plush toy and an orange flying disc

Behavior & Training

Best Dog Toys for Every Play Style

Most dog toy roundups sort by product category. This one sorts by how your dog plays: squeaky, fetch, tug, or plush. Watch a five-minute play session, find your dog's style, then buy the toy that matches it in a size that stays safe.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

Brindle Staffordshire bull terrier lying on a patterned rug chewing a red rubber chew toy held between its front paws, a lit fireplace behind it

Behavior & Training

Best Dog Chew Toys, Chosen by How Your Dog Chews

Match a chew toy to how your dog actually chews. Four chewing styles, the hardness test veterinary dentists use, a sizing rule keyed to the dog rather than the package, and nine researched picks grouped by style.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 19, 2026

A border collie lying beside a decorated Christmas tree with a red stocking and wrapped boxes

Behavior & Training

Christmas Gifts for Dogs: Vet-Approved Picks Your Dog Will Actually Use

The best Christmas gifts for dogs are the ones the dog uses in February. Here are vet-approved picks for every kind of dog, from a power chewer to a senior with stiff hips, with the safety notes that keep a gift from becoming a vet visit.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 18, 2026

Cream long-haired cat reclining during gentle combing.

Behavior & Training

Grooming Long Haired Cats: A Complete Routine

A long coat mats from underneath, not on top. Here is the complete routine for grooming long haired cats: how often to brush, the line-brushing technique, the seven places mats actually start, sanitary trims, and when a lion cut is the right call.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 10, 2026

Standing tabby cat being groomed with loose hair visible nearby.

Behavior & Training

Best Cat Deshedding Tools, Chosen by Coat Type

A cat deshedding tool lifts dead undercoat out of the coat, and the wrong one damages the topcoat instead. Here is how to match the tool to your cat's coat type, how often to use it, which tools are worth buying, and when heavy shedding needs a vet.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 10, 2026

Brown long-haired cat receiving gentle brushing on a person's lap.

Behavior & Training

Best Cat Brush for Every Coat Type and Temperament

The best cat brush depends on three things: what your cat's coat is made of, what its skin will tolerate, and whether it will sit still. Here are the five tool families, a coat-structure table, a skin-safety test, and eight researched picks.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 10, 2026

Gray shorthair standing on a nonslip sink mat with a little lather on the shoulders.

Behavior & Training

Best Cat Shampoo: Picks by Coat, Skin, and What to Avoid

Most healthy cats never need a bath, but when they do, the shampoo ends up swallowed. Here are the ingredient families that disqualify a bottle, the four label checks that settle it, and picks matched to everyday cleaning, itchy skin, dander, and no-rinse cleaning.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 10, 2026

Tuxedo cat sniffing a toothbrush offered beside its closed mouth.

Behavior & Training

How to Brush Cat Teeth: A Calm, Step-by-Step Routine

Introduce cat toothbrushing at your cat's pace with an example staged plan, suitable tools, gentle technique, and clear signs to stop and call your veterinarian.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 10, 2026

Wet long-haired cat supported with an open towel above a sink.

Behavior & Training

How to Bathe a Cat Without Getting Scratched

Most healthy cats need no routine baths. For cats that need cleaning, learn how to prepare, handle gently, rinse and dry safely, and choose suitable no-water options.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 10, 2026

Black-and-white cat standing on a floor mat for gentle brushing.

Behavior & Training

How to Groom a Cat at Home, Even One That Hates It

A vet-informed guide to grooming a cat at home: tools for different coats, a practical checking routine, gentle handling, and when to stop or seek professional help.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 10, 2026

Leashed puppy observing a cyclist from the grass beside its owner

Behavior & Training

Puppy Socialization Checklist: Safe Experiences and a Practical Plan

Plan manageable puppy experiences with people, handling, sounds, surfaces, travel, and calm dogs. Track comfort and balance early learning with local infection precautions.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 10, 2026

Sable puppy inside an open uncovered wire crate with an owner nearby

Behavior & Training

Puppy Crying in the Crate: Causes and How to Help

Check toileting, discomfort, and distress before responding to crate crying. Learn when to end a session, reset training, and seek help with daytime or nighttime problems.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 10, 2026

Black-and-white puppy standing inside an open wire crate

Behavior & Training

How to Crate Train a Puppy: A Gradual Step-by-Step Plan

Teach comfortable crate use through voluntary entry, short closures, and gradual absences. Plan fit, toileting, daytime practice, and first nights around your puppy.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 10, 2026

A ginger-and-white kitten chases a feather wand toy across a rug.

Behavior & Training

How to Stop Kitten From Biting: Play and Teething

Help your kitten learn gentle play with calm responses, suitable toys, and consistent routines. Identify the difference between playful bites, unwanted petting, fear, and possible pain.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 7, 2026

A person interacts with a tortoiseshell cat sitting on a kitchen stool.

Behavior & Training

How to Keep Cats off Counters: A Practical Training Plan

Keep your cat off kitchen counters by understanding the reward behind each jump, teaching a useful alternative perch, and making food preparation safer while the habit changes.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 7, 2026

Tabby moving across a clear living-room rug

Behavior & Training

Cat Zoomies: Why They Happen and When to Be Concerned

Learn how to interpret familiar running bursts, recognize changes that deserve veterinary attention, and build a practical play routine with a safer route through the home.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 6, 2026

Ginger cat exploring a prepared quiet room

Behavior & Training

How to Introduce Cats: A Step-by-Step Plan and Troubleshooting Guide

Introduce a new cat through separate spaces, scent exchange, secure visual contact, and short meetings. Use both cats' behavior to decide when to progress or step back.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 6, 2026

Tuxedo cat resting by a window while its owner reads nearby

Behavior & Training

Cat Separation Anxiety: Signs and a Step-by-Step Management Plan

Clinginess alone does not establish cat separation anxiety. Learn how to record absence-linked distress, build calm routines, and practice manageable separations.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 6, 2026

Behavior & Training

Pica in Cats: Why Cats Eat Nonfood Items and What to Do

Start with the swallowed-object risk, then investigate medical and behavioral causes and make a practical plan to prevent further ingestion.

Dr. Pippa Elliott

Oct 6, 2026

Brindle dog eating behind a closed and latched pet gate

Behavior & Training

Resource Guarding in Dogs: Signs, Triggers and What to Do

Recognize the early signs of resource guarding, reduce conflict over food, toys and resting places, and understand when a dog needs individualized reward-based professional help.

Webvet Editorial Team

Oct 2, 2026

Tabby cat with its mouth open and ears turned sideways in an open hallway

Behavior & Training

Why Do Cats Hiss and Growl? How to Respond

Respond to cat hissing and growling with practical steps that reduce pressure, improve introductions and preserve escape routes, while recognizing when new behavior needs a health assessment.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Unbranded electronic device beside a window blind with its cable coiled

Behavior & Training

Anti Dog Barking Device: What Works and What Risks Remain

Evaluate anti-bark devices by their mechanism, exposure and evidence, with practical alternatives for common triggers and clear boundaries around products aimed at a neighbor’s dog.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Person holding a whistle near their mouth while a collie watches in an enclosed garden

Behavior & Training

Dog Training Whistle: Teach a Reliable Recall Cue

Build a clear whistle recall with practical equipment choices, staged exercises and troubleshooting for missed cues, distractions and handling, while preserving safe management throughout.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Brindle dog sleeping on a low floor bed in a living room

Behavior & Training

Dog Barking in Sleep: Dreams or a Reason to Call the Vet?

Learn a safe observation approach to dog barking and movement during sleep, including what a video can help show and why unusual episodes require veterinary assessment rather than a home diagnosis.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Spaniel looking up at a harness held by a person near the door

Behavior & Training

Why Is My Dog Whining? Causes and What to Do

Understand dog whining through its context, accompanying signs and recent changes, with clear next steps for health concerns, everyday needs and teaching a calmer way to ask.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Unbranded smooth electronic collar beside a measuring tape on a wooden table

Behavior & Training

Best Bark Collar? Compare Nonshock Options and Risks

A research-based comparison of four nonshock bark collars explains mechanisms, fit questions and evidence limits for small and large dogs, without inventing hands-on tests or veterinary endorsement.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Unbranded electronic collar resting on a wooden table

Behavior & Training

Bark Collar Types, Risks and Better Training Choices

Compare the mechanisms and limitations of bark collars, separate product specifications from welfare evidence, and choose practical tools for a reward-based plan that addresses the cause.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Terrier standing with its mouth open beside a glass door while a person watches

Behavior & Training

Why Is My Dog Barking at Nothing? What to Check

Investigate apparently unexplained barking with a practical trigger log, simple environmental changes and reward-based next steps, while recognizing when a new pattern needs veterinary attention.

Webvet Editorial Team

Sep 27, 2026

Most popular in Behavior & Training

Best Soft Sided Dog Crate and Travel Crate Picks: When Fabric Works and When It Does Not

October 26, 2026

Best Small Dog Crate Picks for Toy and Small Breeds: Right-Sized, Not Cramped

October 26, 2026

Best XL Dog Crate Picks for Giant Breeds: XXL Sizes Measured, Built to Last

October 26, 2026

Best Retractable Dog Leash: Safer Picks, Locking Brakes, and When Not to Use One

October 23, 2026