Pawsitive DiMensions, LLC

09/01/2024

Whether they’re on their bed, offering eye contact, doing a cute behavior, playing with their toy, or simply being calm - these are golden opportunities to shape future behavior. Rewarding good behavior moments will not only encourage that behavior to be repeated, creating better habits, but also helps decrease undesirable behaviors. It is a win-win situation that will strengthen the bond between you and your pet.

Here's a simple yet effective challenge for you this week based on Kathy Sdao’s SMARTx50 (See Mark and Reward Training):

1. Reflect on Desirable Behaviors: Consider the behaviors you like and want to encourage in your pet.

2. Prepare Treats: In the morning, count out food rewards for the day - some treats as well as part of their normal diet (kibble or pellets) to avoid upsetting their digestive processes.
Cats & Rabbits: 15 rewards, pea-sized and smaller
Dogs: 25 rewards, kibble size
Safely store them in rooms your pet frequents.

3. Acknowledge Good Behavior: Use a clicker or a cheerful ‘yes’, followed by giving your pet one food reward. Repeat.

Try it for a week and let us know what observations you've made about your pet and your thoughts on this experience.
Happy Training!

01/01/2024

Whether you're teaching a new trick, reinforcing good behavior, or simply enjoying quality time together, let every training session be filled with happiness and joy. ❤

25/12/2023

The hustle and bustle of holiday guests, gatherings, and festive sights and sounds can overwhelm pets, causing stress to build up. This may leave them unable to cope with situations they normally handle well, leading to unexpected behaviors. Does your family have a plan to ease your pet's stress during the holidays? 🐾

07/12/2023

Many wonderful senior pets face challenges in finding forever homes. Consider these benefits to opening your heart and home to a senior.

Abundance of Love: Despite their age, senior pets still have a wealth of love to share, bringing immense joy and fulfillment to your life.

Predictable Personalities: Enjoy the perks of a well-developed and often predictable personality. In addition, senior pets are past their overly energetic juvenile phase, making for a calmer furry friend.

Immediate Connections: Senior pets often form emotional bonds more quickly than their younger counterparts, providing you with more immediate companionship. Whether they are playing, learning new tricks, or lounging near you, they simply enjoy your company.

Training Advantage: Many senior pets are already house/litter trained and familiar with basic cues. Plus, they can still learn new tricks!

Adorably Charming: There is an undeniable allure to senior pets. Beneath their gentle demeanor, graying fur, and soulful eyes lies a unique charm that captivates and warms the heart.

Before deciding to bring a senior pet into your family, take a moment to evaluate your lifestyle and preparedness to meet the requirements of caring for an older companion, including your commitment to their medical care. If adoption isn't feasible, fostering is a rewarding option that can significantly reduce stress for senior pets.

Share your senior pet adoption stories and photos below!

03/12/2023

As our pets enter their senior years, they undergo changes in abilities and preferences that impact their participation in play. Shifting to a gentler approach with lower energy and intensity levels is often more appealing to senior pets. Here are some quick tips:

Easy Does It: Move more slowly and deliberately to avoid startling or overwhelming your senior pet. Instead of tossing toys, consider rolling them so they are easier to follow.

Softer Toys: Choose toys made from softer materials to offer a gentle option for their jaw without compromising on the fun. Switch out any hard rubber toys for ones specially designed for senior pets.

Shorter Distances: Toss or move toys shorter distances so that your pet doesn't have to cover a large area to interact with the toy.

Shorter Play Sessions: Decrease the duration of play sessions to accommodate your pet's energy levels. Seniors may tire more quickly, so keeping playtime brief can be more enjoyable for them.

Although the way your pet engages in play over time may change, play should still be an important part of their daily routine. By incorporating a few adaptations, you can continue to make playtime fun and enriching for your senior pet. 🐶 🐱 🐰 💕

01/12/2023

Food dispensing puzzle toys offer mental stimulation, engage the sense of smell, and provide a self-rewarding activity as pets savor the taste of their treats. They are an excellent daily activity for senior pets. However, as pets age, caregivers often notice a decline in interest along with kibble or treats left behind. Here are some tips to rekindle your senior pet's interest and make puzzle time more enjoyable:

Decrease Difficulty: Make it easier for your pet to access the food by choosing toys with wider openings, preparing stuffable toys that are less dense, placing treats that are not too hidden, and using more soft and lickable-type treats. Keep a close eye on your pet as they tackle the puzzle. If you observe signs of frustration or overwhelm, offer gentle encouragement, help them retrieve the food, or switch to something easier based on your observations.

Savory Scents: Boost the puzzle's appeal by using strongly scented treats. Explore different varieties of flavors, textures, and consistencies to find your pet’s preferences (consult your veterinarian for safety and appropriateness for your pet).

Adjust for Easier Access: As mobility decreases, consider stationary puzzles that do not demand as much physical effort. Make sure the bottom is non-skid or offer it on a non-slip surface. Consider elevating or tipping them to provide your senior pet access without straining or bending too much. Additionally, lick mats that can suction to vertical surfaces at nose height can be beneficial.

Novelty Attracts: Maintain their curiosity by alternating between different food dispensing toys. Occasionally, get creative and make your own puzzle using items around the house that are safe for your specific pet, such as bowls, a cupcake pan, boxes, or paper towel rolls (always supervise your pet for safety).

Remember, the key is to observe your senior pet's reactions and tailor the puzzle experience to their individual needs.
Happy puzzling!

29/11/2023

Celebrate your pet’s senior years by teaching new tricks and creating precious memories.

Teaching tricks to senior pets provides mental stimulation, helping to keep their cognitive functions sharp as they age. Tricks are also a fantastic way to keep your senior pet moving and stretching, contributing to their overall wellness. Moreover, these activities foster a stronger bond between you and your pet.

To enhance your senior pet's learning experience and keep them engaged, incorporate the following tips into your reward-based training sessions:

Tailored Tricks: Choose tricks similar to ones they’ve enjoyed in the past while considering their physical abilities. Tricks should involve low-impact movements so your senior can stay active without putting undue stress on their joints or risking their balance.

Optimal Pace: Move at your pet’s pace; don’t rush them. Opt for shorter sessions and be vigilant for signs of fatigue (mental and physical), including looking or walking away, weight shifting, panting or diminishing effort.

Communication Check: If your pet doesn’t respond as readily to cues as they did in previous sessions, it might indicate physical challenges or sensory changes. Be attuned to their needs and adjust training for continued success.

Fun First: It's all about enjoying your time together. No need for perfection—just savor the moments and watch your senior pet shine. Who knows, they might even surprise you with their own unique tricks!

22/11/2023

Is your pet a senior?

As a general guideline, think senior at 7 years old. This is when aging changes may start to be detected; therefore, it is the age to begin discussing senior pet health with your veterinarian. They are best equipped to assess your pet's current health status and develop a preventative and early-detection healthcare plan based on your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, and individual health history. Don’t be surprised if they want to perform baseline diagnostics such as bloodwork or have you complete health/behavior questionnaires. They may even request short videos of your pet performing routine activities (such as eating, walking, and getting into their resting spot) to help with pain assessment.

Along with early detection and intervention of medical issues, providing appropriate physical and mental activities for your senior pet can result in a happier, healthier, and longer life with you. ❤

Stay tuned for some behavior and training related tips for senior pets.

01/01/2023

19/12/2022

Pet Pain Awareness #5/5: Prevalence

Chronic pain in pets is more prevalent than most realize. Although it is often a focus of concern with senior pets, chronic pain is inadvertently overlooked as a possibility in younger ones. It is essential for the welfare of a pet that everyone in their life is aware that chronic pain can and does occur in pets of ALL ages.

The most common chronic pain condition encountered in pets is osteoarthritis. It is a progressive disease characterized by the deterioration of cartilage that is providing cushioning for the joints. Osteoarthritis is often associated with orthopedic disease, previous injury or aging. Some risk factors for osteoarthritis include obesity, genetics, repetitive high impact exercise and improper nutrition. Other frequently identified causes of chronic pain are dental disease, skin disorders and gastrointestinal issues.

Your pet depends on you to be a keen observer for early recognition and veterinary intervention of chronic pain for their comfort and well-being.

21/11/2022

Pet Pain Awareness #4/5: Management of Pain

Once your pet’s pain is assessed by your veterinarian, they will prescribe a treatment plan to address the underlying causes of the pain as well as to improve comfort. The most beneficial effects for pain reduction and relief result from a multimodal approach. Recommendations may include veterinary medications (as human pain medications are toxic to pets), physical rehabilitation, alternative therapies and/or lifestyle changes. Maintaining your pet's comfort and quality of life is just as important as the initial treatment. Continue to be your pet’s advocate with regular communications and follow-up visits with your veterinarian.

Please do not start or stop any medications or treatments without consulting your veterinarian or having specific written guidelines from them.

22/10/2022

Pet Pain Awareness #3/5: Pain is often unrecognized

Sometimes, just knowing the signs of chronic pain may not be enough.

•Pets are good at hiding their pain so even if they are still eating, jumping and doing their favorite activities, they may still be in pain. Hesitancy and altered body positions may be important indicators. Be sure to take a good look at HOW your pet is performing those activities.

•Even though you know your pet the best, in some cases, the signs emerge so gradually that you do not see the change and their altered behavior is the ‘norm’.

•At the veterinary hospital, your pet may act in a pain-free manner due to the adrenaline rush from the overstimulation of all the sights, sounds and scents. If a veterinarian is not clued into potential pain, they may not have sufficient observation and evaluation time during the exam to detect some forms of chronic pain.

You are an important team member in your pet’s care. Continue to evolve your pet pain awareness skills to be able to provide your veterinarian with valuable information. Having a system for monitoring your observations will result in early detection, early treatment, a more comfortable pet and an overall more enjoyable life together.

04/10/2022

Pet Pain Awareness #2/5: Signs of Pain

Animals have been genetically programmed to hide pain as a strategy for survival because predators would often target the sick and injured. This has remained with our companion animals through the process of domestication. By the time pets show pain, they are already significantly affected by injury, illness or disease so it is important to contact your veterinarian for an exam, diagnosis and treatment as soon as those first signs are observed.

Since our pets can’t tell us in words that they are in pain, being able to recognize subtle signs of pain is essential for their comfort and well-being.

18/09/2022

Pet Pain Awareness #1/5: Acute Pain vs Chronic Pain

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential injury. Acute pain is sharp, sudden, severe, and designed to protect the body from injury as well as to prevent further injury and promote healing. It lasts for a short period of time and usually goes away after the body heals. Chronic pain on the other hand is pain that continues more than three months and is often associated with a long-lasting illness or an injury that has caused structural and/or physiological changes. This pain may come and go and can even stimulate increased pain sensitivity throughout the body. Chronic pain can and does interfere with daily life by adversely affecting physical and emotional well-being. It is essential that pain is identified early and appropriately managed to preserve the best quality of life.

The next few posts will focus mostly on chronic pain since it can be challenging to identify and quite prevalent in pets with behavior concerns.

01/07/2022

Pet Stress Awareness #5/5: Minimize Stress During Training

Protecting your pet’s emotional well-being during training sessions is important because learning can be inherently stressful. To avoid distress, be mindful to remain in a framework of good stress/eustress.
• Use reward based training techniques for a happy, engaged pet
• Focus on teaching your pet how you would like them to act rather than ‘stopping’ a behavior
• Before you start, have a training plan not just the goal behavior
• Know your pet’s preferred reinforcers and use them accordingly
• Arrange the environment for optimum pet success keeping in mind your pet’s stressors and thresholds
• Train with good timing, clear cues, efficient treat/reinforcer delivery and short sessions
• Progress at pace appropriate for your pet (often in small successive steps to reach goal behavior)
• Monitor your pet’s body language throughout each session and if you are seeing stress signals, adjust your plan to decrease stress and thus improve learning

If you or your pet start to become frustrated, take a break, and reassess your training plan. Don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance for additional guidance. As part of the Fear Free community, we take extra care to make training sessions less stressful for you and your pet.

21/05/2022

Pet Stress Awareness #4/5: Relieving Bad Stress/Distress

IN THE MOMENT
Create distance from the stressor and/or decrease intensity of stressor to help your pet feel safer. If stress signs are not immediately decreasing or your pet is exhibiting severe distress, safely move your pet out of that situation. Avoid use of punishment techniques as they can increase stress, anxiety and fear. Remember your pet is not purposely giving you a hard time, they are having a hard time.

IN THE FUTURE
Recognize your pet’s early stress signs, understand their threshold level and avoid or minimize exposure to their stressors in order to prevent escalation and/or increased sensitization.

Consult with a credentialed reward based trainer for additional training guidance, including stress reduction strategies and coping skills for your individual pet.

Consult your veterinarian if your pet’s stress signs are regular, increasing in frequency or becoming more severe, if your pet does not quickly return back to normal, if you are unclear of what is causing stress or if you have safety or welfare concerns. Medical conditions commonly contribute to stress and/or manifest as stress signs, so it is very important to involve your veterinarian.

DAY TO DAY
Reduce your pet’s overall stress to help to maintain their behavioral wellness
• Be consistent and predictable in routines, rules and interactions
• Offer your pet proper outlets for species specific activities and allow your pet opportunities for choice and control as safe and appropriate
• Integrate a couple activities every day for mental and physical stimulation

28/04/2022

Pet Stress Awareness #3/5: Stressors and Stress Stacking

A stressor can be anything perceived through sight, sound, scent, touch and/or taste that evokes a stress response. Below we highlighted some of the more common causes of stress in pets that we encounter with our behavior and training clients. Even though similarities exist within and among species, stressors and level of stress responses can be unique for each individual pet.

Identifying your pet’s stressors will allow you to relieve their stress more effectively and proactively. Often this can be accomplished by recognizing what is happening at the time your pet is exhibiting stress signs. However, animals perceive the world differently from us, so we do not always know what associations they are forming and as a result a correlation may not always be clear. Also, keep in mind that some stressors may have different effects in different contexts or exist as a combination of stressors.

After experiencing the physiological changes from a stressor including a peak in cortisol and adrenaline, the body needs time to recover and return to a normal state. When a previously mild stressor causes a severe stress response, stress stacking may be at play. This means that if there is not sufficient recovery time between multiple stressors, the stress effects stack up and become cumulative.

26/04/2022

Pet Stress Awareness #2/5: What does stress look like?

Stress triggers a cascade of events in the body’s physiology, neurobiology, and mind. Genetics, learning experiences and environment have influence on how your pet processes stress.

The effects of stress may be mild to severe and can be observed through pet body language and behavior. Early signs of stress can be subtle and often overlooked but identification is key to preventing escalation.

When faced with severe or acute stress, pets have four general strategies known as the Four F’s : Fight (aggressive), Freeze (stillness), Flight (flee), Fidget (fool around). Note that the Fidget strategy is commonly thought to be a pet that is simply unruly or doesn’t listen. Vet Behaviour Team created handouts that illustrate severe stress and hyperarousal (aka Fidget) in dogs but keep in mind that there are similarities in other species.

25/04/2022

Pet Stress Awareness #1/5: Stress can be good or bad

Good or productive stress, known as eustress, aids in daily functions, performance and growth. Note that too much eustress can be overwhelming and turn into distress. Distress is the bad stress that we should strive to prevent and minimize in our pets since it has such negative effects on them.

Chronic stress is distress a pet cannot escape or adapt to resulting in significant adverse effects on their overall welfare.

23/04/2022

Rico celebrating Earth Day - he's the cutest! 🤩💜 (volume up)

05/04/2022

Now is a great time to add Austin Wildlife Rescue (or your local wildlife rescue) to your phone contact list...just in case ❤️🐇🦝🦊

15/03/2022

Check out this awesome visual blueprint for supporting your cat's needs from Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin ...it outlines the foundation for a happier cat that is easier to live with and care for. ❤️😺

NEW! For cat lovers:
Download from doggiedrawings.net/freeposters (Sorry, I am not sure why it looks so blurry on FB)

29/01/2022

Having fun at one of our favorite continuing education conferences

Excited to incorporate new tips, tricks and knowledge into our training and behavior services so you can have easier to live with, even more enjoyable pets!

01/01/2022

Wishing you and your pets a Happy and Healthy New Year filled with behavior and training celebrations all year long!