Training
You can solve your pet's behavior
problems—and teach him or her a
trick or two—with our positive
reinforcement-based techniques.
Helpful Training Articles
Stop Your Dog's Destructive Chewing
Chewing is a common complaint among those caring for dogs younger than one year old. Chewing is part investigation, part teething, and all fun.
Get Help with Cat Spraying
Urine stains found approximately at cat-nose level on vertical surfaces, such as furniture, drapes or walls, are telltale signs of feline spraying.
Train Your Dog to Come When Called
Coming when called is probably the most important command your dog will ever have to follow.
Dealing with Separation Anxiety
Supposedly absence makes the heart grow fonder, but the absence of an owner can send some dogs into wailing and barking fits.
Top 10 Dog-Training Tips
1. Listen to your dog! Learn to read his body language. If he seems uncomfortable meeting another animal or person, don't insist that he say hello.
2. Be generous with praise. Make sure you give him lots of attention when he's doing the right thing � not just when you're unhappy with him.
3. Tell him what you want him to do. Telling your dog "no" doesn't give him enough information. If the dog jumps up to say hello, ask him to sit instead.
4. Be consistent. Get as many family members as possible involved in training so everyone's on the same page.
5. Have realistic expectations. It's never too late to change a behavior, but some changes will take longer than others.
Read more dog-training tips.
How to Find a Good Trainer
Finding a professional dog trainer may take a bit of research, but making the right choice will be worth your time. Here are some guidelines to help you find a good trainer:
- Ask if you can observe a class. Do the dogs seem happy? Are the people having fun? Is there a good ratio of people to dogs?
- Observe the tools being used in the class. Good tools include leashes, flat collars, head halters, bite-sized treats, toys and harnesses.
- The trainer should use lots of praise with the dogs � and never use physical punishment.
- Ask what organizations the trainer belongs to. The APDT, IAABC, NADOI and the CCPDT strongly encourage or even require continuing education for their members.
Read more about how to find a good trainer.
Behavior Modification Tips for Cats, Rabbits and Birds — Oh My!
While not all species of pets are as good "students" as dogs might be, all pets can be trained — to a degree. Read how to instill some "education" in your non-dog pets.
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Keep Kitties Off Counters
Before you can train your cat to stay off a forbidden surface, you must decipher why she's drawn to it in the first place. Next, offer alternatives.
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Litter Train Your Rabbit
Rabbits can easily learn to respond to their names, as well as to simple words, and they learn to use litter boxes readily.
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Stop Your Bird from Biting
Never punish a bird who bites. Be sure you don't teach your bird to bite by rewarding her with drama or returning her to the cage for "time out."
