North Toronto Veterinary Behaviour Specialty Clinic

03/02/2026

"My dog gives me kisses!"
Is it now?

Analysis of the Ethological and Neurobiological Origins of Canine Licking

While colloquially termed "kissing," dog facial licking represents a complex communicative framework with deep evolutionary and neurobiological underpinnings. Research recognizes these actions not merely as affection, but as functional signals developed over millennia of interspecific cohabitation.

The primary biological and social drivers include:

Ancestral Feeding Instincts: In wild canid packs, juveniles lick the muzzles of adult members to solicit food through regurgitation. Domestic dogs have retained this instinct into adulthood, continuing to view their human counterparts as primary caregivers.

Neurochemical Bonding Mechanisms: Non-noxious physical contact, such as facial licking, facilitates a neurochemical feedback loop. This interaction results in elevated systemic oxytocin concentrations in both the animal and the human, fostering social attachment and providing a significant stress-buffering effect.

Active Deference and Social Cohesion: Within canine social structures, facial licking is a recognized component of active submission or deference. These signals assist in the acknowledgement of social status and the preservation of group harmony through non-vocal affirmation.

Interspecific Emotional Intelligence: Modern research demonstrates that dogs are highly sensitive to human emotional expressions. They are statistically more likely to direct affiliative behaviours, such as licking, toward individuals they perceive to be in distress or who act as "victims" in social conflicts.

Informational and Sensory Assessment: Licking is a critical component of olfactory and tactile investigation. It allows dogs to gather biological data regarding an individual’s internal physiological state or recent environmental exposures.

By accurately interpreting these biological markers, we can improve our understanding of canine behaviour and further strengthen the uniquely adaptive bond between humans and their canine counterparts. The integration of evidence-based behavioural science is essential for modern pet management and the advancement of animal welfare.

02/23/2026

Mounting Behaviour: Beyond the "Dominance" Myth

Mounting, often colloquially called "hu***ng," is one of the most misunderstood and socially awkward behaviours in the domestic dog's repertoire. For decades, popular "pack leader" theories have led owners to view it as a clear-cut bid for social dominance. However, modern veterinary behavioural science shows that mounting is far more complex and rarely a bid for status.

A Multi-Contextual Behaviour
While mounting is a normal part of s*xual behaviour between a male and a receptive female, it frequently occurs in entirely non-s*xual contexts. In puppies, it is often part of social play and a way to practise adult behaviours. In adult dogs, it is frequently seen in the following scenarios:
• High Arousal and Stress: Mounting is often a "vacuum activity" or a displacement behaviour. When a dog becomes overstimulated—perhaps during intense play or the arrival of an exciting visitor—and has no appropriate outlet for that energy, they may resort to mounting to self-regulate.
• Attention-Seeking: When directed at humans, mounting is most commonly an attention-seeking behaviour. If a dog learns that hu***ng an owner’s leg elicits a reaction, they may repeat it to initiate interaction.
• Anxiety and Conflict: Research suggests a strong link between mounting and anxiety. One study found that 67% of dogs who mounted people were anxious, while only 33% showed aggressive tendencies. Furthermore, familiar dogs are twice as likely to be mounted as unfamiliar dogs, suggesting that social comfort or a lack of inhibition plays a significant role. Mounting can also be triggered by physical disorders such as abdominal pain or seizures.

The Flaws of Dominance Theory
The idea that humans must "dominate" their dogs to stop this behaviour is not only scientifically outdated but also potentially dangerous. Using physical manipulation or "dominance downs" to establish "alpha" status is associated with increased physiological stress and can trigger self-defensive aggression.
In reality, canine social structures are fluid and context-specific. Social status is often based on deference, which is freely given rather than imposed. The dog that behaves most appropriately in a given context is the one to which others defer, not necessarily the one that is the most physically assertive or the first to reach the door.

How to Manage Mounting
Rather than viewing mounting as a power struggle, owners should focus on managing the dog's emotional state and arousal:
• Provide Calm Outlets: If a dog is overstimulated after high-intensity behaviour, providing a calm area and a chew toy can help them settle.
• Interrupt Early: Disrupting play every two to three minutes to allow dogs to settle helps prevent their arousal from crossing an emotional threshold.
• Avoid Punishment: Punishment without offering an appropriate alternative is likely to fail. Instead, use a head halter or a lure to redirect the dog into a "sit" or another calm, rewarded behaviour.
By stripping away the "alpha" label, we can see mounting for what it usually is: a sign that a dog is over-excited, anxious, or simply seeking a way to engage with their world.

02/17/2026

When you sit long enough in front of many different dog owners, one of the comments you hear often is: it's the breed.
Is it?

Selective breeding has shaped canine behaviour at least as much as morphology. Genetic studies link variation in neurotransmitter systems, such as dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate signalling, to measurable behavioural differences. At a population level, surveys and genomic work consistently show breed-associated tendencies, including differences in stranger-directed aggression, fearfulness, noise sensitivity, compulsive behaviours, chasing patterns, and responsiveness to human cues. Even morphology correlates with behaviour: skull shape, for example, tracks certain behavioural profiles in large datasets.

However, this is correlation, not destiny.

Heritability estimates for behavioural traits are often modest and variable, and the operational reality is that within-breed variation frequently exceeds between-breed variation. Working and show lines can diverge markedly, and individual learning history, early environment, age, s*x, and neuter status can substantially shift the trajectory. In mixed-breed dogs, behaviour is often driven by early-life factors, and visual breed identification is unreliable, which further limits genetic assumptions.

So, yes, breed can inform probability and risk management. It can support more targeted prevention, training plans, and owner expectations. But it does not determine personality, and it should not be used as a stand-alone predictor for an individual dog.

Correlation can guide decision-making, but it cannot define the individual dog in front of you, override the dog’s learning history and environment, or predict that dog’s behaviour with certainty.

02/05/2026

Behaviour health is physical health.

01/27/2026

Are Your Worries Really Making Your Pet Anxious? Let’s Debunk the Myth

It’s a common belief: if you’re a nervous owner, your pet must be picking up on your anxiety and mirroring it. Many pet owners are told that their own stress is the root cause of their pet’s anxious behaviour. This idea can leave owners feeling guilty and frustrated, believing they must somehow turn off their own emotions to help their pet.

In reality, animals don’t read our emotions the way we might imagine. They don’t understand human anxiety as we do, but they are very attuned to human behaviour. When you’re tense, your pet may notice changes in your tone of voice, your body language, or your routine. They respond to that behaviour, not to some invisible emotional aura.

So, what’s the takeaway for owners? You don’t need to stress about your stress. Instead, focus on understanding how your behaviour—like your consistency, calm guidance, and training approaches—can shape your pet’s responses. By working on practical steps and giving your pet time to adapt, you’ll help both of you feel more at ease. Over time, as your pet becomes more comfortable, you’ll find yourself relaxing as well, creating a positive cycle of mutual confidence.

In short, don’t let anyone tell you that you must never feel anxious. Instead, focus on the small steps that help both you and your pet thrive together.

12/10/2025

Many puppy owners are advised to wait before enrolling their puppies in classes until they've completed all vaccinations. Although this cautious approach seems prudent, it can sometimes do more harm than good. Delaying socialization for too long can adversely affect your puppy’s long-term behavioural health, which is just as important as their physical health.
During their first three to four months, puppies go through a critical socialization period. This is when their brains learn what is normal and safe. Thoughtful exposure to friendly dogs, people, sounds, handling, different surfaces, and environments acts like a behavioural vaccine. It helps your puppy develop positive associations early on, when their brain is most adaptable, preventing future issues like fear, reactivity, and aggression.
When owners delay all social contact until after completing the full vaccination series, the window for socialization often closes or is closing. By four to five months, many puppies may start to show caution or fear around strangers, other dogs, grooming, car rides, and vet visits. At this stage, you're no longer protecting against behaviour problems through vaccination; you're trying to address issues that could have been prevented with early socialization.
This doesn’t mean disease risks are ignored. Instead, they are managed wisely. The most risky places for infectious diseases are often public parks, busy sidewalks, and veterinary clinics. In contrast, well-managed puppy classes are controlled environments: they usually require proof of vaccination, exclude sick dogs, keep surfaces clean, and closely monitor interactions.
Most healthy puppies can safely start a properly managed class around 7 to 8 weeks old, after initial vaccination, deworming, and a health check. These classes teach puppies how to interact politely with other dogs, relax around people, and accept handling. Owners learn to read body language, prevent problems, and use reward-based training. Early learning combined with safe exposure makes puppy classes a powerful behavioural vaccine.
You can further reduce risks by avoiding dog parks, unfamiliar dogs, and crowded public spaces until your vet confirms it’s safe. Focus instead on positive experiences in controlled settings, such as reputable puppy classes.
In simple terms, vaccines protect your puppy’s body, while early socialization and puppy classes protect their mind. Your role is to provide both.

10/30/2025

10/28/2025

Puppy Classes are back!

We are bringing back puppy classes! If you have a puppy that you need help with basic training, what better place?!

Where: 2974 King Rd. Unit 3 King City
When: Every Saturday at 2:00pm starting November 26th (excluding December 27)

Please contact us for pricing and to sign your little one up!

905-881-2752 or [email protected]

09/12/2025

Why cats soil in the house — and why it’s not about spite

One of the most common myths about cats is that they urinate or defecate outside the litter box “to get back at” their owners. Cats do not act out of revenge or spite. When a cat soils in the house, it is always a sign that something is wrong — either with their health, their environment, or their emotional state.

Physiological reasons (medical):

Pain – Any condition that causes pain, such as arthritis, back pain, or gastrointestinal discomfort, can make it difficult for a cat to get into or use the litter box. Cats may avoid the box if they associate it with pain.

Bladder and kidney disease – Conditions such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or chronic kidney disease can make urination painful, urgent, or more frequent. Cats may not make it to the box in time.

Feline Urinary Syndrome (FUS) – Also known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), this common condition causes inflammation and irritation of the bladder and urethra. Cats with FUS may strain, urinate frequently, or associate the litter box with pain and try to avoid it.

Constipation or bowel disease – Straining or discomfort with defecation may cause cats to link the litter box with pain, leading them to use other areas instead.

Behavioural and environmental reasons:

Litter box hygiene – Cats are very clean. If the box isn’t scooped at least once daily, they may look elsewhere.

Box size and design – Boxes that are too small, covered, or hard to access may be avoided.

Litter type – Many cats dislike scented or coarse litter. Most prefer unscented, soft, sand-like substrates.

Location – A box placed in a noisy, busy, or unsafe-feeling spot may be rejected. Cats prefer quiet, easily accessible areas with an escape route.

Stress and anxiety – Cats may soil when they feel anxious, such as when routines change, new pets or people arrive, or outdoor cats are visible through windows.

Communication – Sometimes cats urinate or defecate outside the box as a way of signalling distress, insecurity, or unmet needs. For example, a cat that urinates on the owner’s bed may be expressing a need for comfort and connection when feeling anxious.

What NOT to do:
Punishing a cat for soiling — yelling, scolding, spraying water, or rubbing their nose in it — does not solve the problem. It only increases fear and stress, which can make things worse.

What TO do:

Scoop boxes at least once daily and wash weekly.

Provide one litter box per cat, plus one extra, in safe, quiet areas.

Adjust box size, design, and litter type to your cat’s preferences.

Reduce stress by offering hiding spots, vertical climbing areas, and predictable routines.

Always see your veterinarian to rule out medical causes and support behaviour management.

👉 House soiling is never about spite. It is your cat’s way of showing that their physical or emotional needs aren’t being met. By listening to this message, you can help them feel safe, healthy, and secure again.

09/08/2025

We would like to share Quinn and her owner’s great work! Quinn has been coming to us since February 2022 for aggression toward Atticus, among other issues. Quinn is now sharing the couch with his family member, Atticus. This makes us so happy to see!
Quinn has been seeing us primarily for Zoom appointments. This option makes appointments easier for clients coming to us from a distance, or for patients who travel might be too stressful.

08/27/2025

Meet Sadie!
Her owner brought her to us for help with Sadie’s reactivity to unfamiliar people. As a senior dog with joint disease, part of Sadie’s treatment plan includes pain management and physiotherapy. Sadie loves swimming, which provides low-impact exercise and muscle strengthening in a way that allows Sadie to keep her distance from strangers and feel safe while we introduce more behaviour modification.

It is important to remember that emotional and behavioural issues do not exist independently of the dog’s physical condition. One brain has to cope with all of those experiences. Physical issues influence behaviour, and must be managed and treated for pets to succeed with training and behaviour modification.