Kitten Behavior Basics
Well-socialized cats are more likely to have well-socialized kittens. Kittens “feed” off of their mothers’ calm or fearful attitude toward people. Although feeding time is important, it’s also vital to include petting, talking and playing in order to build good “people-skills” in your kitten. Kittens are usually weaned at six or seven weeks, but may […]
Puppy Behavior Basics
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, especially for dogs. The fact is, well-socialized dogs are more likely to have well-socialized puppies. Pups often mirror their mothers’ calm or fearful attitude toward people; this is a normal part of their socialization. But you can play a vital role, too, by petting, talking, and playing […]
Urine Marking Behavior
Dogs and cats are territorial animals. They “stake a claim” to a particular space, area, or object. They let other people and animals know about their claim by marking it using a variety of methods at different levels of intensity. For example, a cat may mark a valued object by rubbing her head against it. […]
Learning “Sit”
The “Sit” Exercise All well-mannered dogs should know that sitting is the best way to encourage people to say hello! Step 1: Teach your dog to sit on command. Stand up, show the dog a treat in your hand, say “Sit!” and lift the treat up and back over the dog’s nose (aim for about […]
Trimming a Cat’s Claws
Stay On the Cutting Edge There are plenty of tools available to trim a cat’s claws; use whichever one works best for you and the animal. Some people prefer a special pair of scissors modified to hold a cat’s claw in place; others prefer human nail clippers, and still others choose plier-like clippers or those […]
Leash Manners
There are various methods for teaching a dog to walk without pulling. There are certain rules that ought to be followed no matter which approach you opt for: Until your dog learns to walk without pulling, all walks are training sessions. Keep training sessions frequent, short, and fun for the dog. You’ll be more successful […]