Clickers!
How to choose the right clicker for your pet!
There are so many different options, and we want to pick one that our pet can easily hear in the environment we are training them in.
BUT we must be careful to choose one that is not so loud that it causes any ear drum sensitivity or startle response.
#clickertraining #positivereinforcement
Today, we talked about my top 5 tips for dealing with peeing issues in your feline friends!
Remember to always consult with your veterinarian first to rule out or treat any medical causes and potentially discuss behavioral medications that might help you be more successful with your plan.
And I might not have said it out loud (whoops!) but donât forget to scoop all those boxes EVERY SINGLE DAY, at least once a day!
Learn more about litter boxes and your kittyâs dream home in the link below đ
https://www.petsandpeopleinharmony.com/litter-boxes
That was easy! This cat scratching post wasnât quite cutting it to discourage scratching on the couch so we added this double sided sticky tape to try and save the upholstery. Worked like a charm and didnât leave a sticky residue! One Sight Cat Training Tape, Cat Tape for Furniture, Cat Scratch Furniture Protector 4 Inches x 30 Yards Cat Scratch Deterrent for Furniture, Couch Protector for Cats Double Sided Tape https://a.co/d/e7sfpCS
Letâs talk training collars!
Why are they so popular and why do they seem to work? Today we talked about what actually happens in the brain when a shock collar is used for training and why other methods of modifying behavior are more effective long term - and FUN!
Thanks Committed to Claws for the awesome catnip toys! Arya approves đ»
A catâs claws are vitally important for play, stretching, marking, and expressing day to day normal behaviors. Need tips to decrease scratching on your favorite sofa? Say no to declaw, and check out the Committed to Claws website: https://committedtoclaws.com.
Enjoying scavenging for kibble! đ»
Adoptable Topaz and Jasper checking out the cardboard cat house đ»
Dinner is served!
Did you know that providing mental enrichment like this food puzzle toy can help slow changes in the aging brain and help our senior pups stay sharp? Enrichment toys are also great for physical health and stretching parts of the body that may not otherwise be used!
Marsie gets a food puzzle for dinnerl!! Turn on the audio for my narration đ¶
Mars and Moki are getting used to their rain jackets before we go backpacking in Asheville next week!
Thunder = pea sized treats raining from the sky!
If your pet is not interested in the treats he usually enjoys, this is a sign of anxiety. Your pup will likely need the help of medication or supplements from your veterinarian and environmental modification of your home.
New cardboard box turned cat tunnel đ»
Marsie having fun with her destroy toy!
Itâs just a thick cardboard roll with peanut butter smeared on the inside đ¶
These are great for dogs who need an appropriate outlet for destructive behaviors. Some dogs may need some initial encouragement when learning new puzzles, especially those that require manipulation with a paw or nose to get the kibble out. Showing them and allowing some kibble to fall out can help.
For dogs or cats who are still not quite sure how it works and seem to get âboredâ with it you can click or say âyesâ and toss a kibble when they start to manipulate it correctly.
Sometimes we need to learn how to learn and that can take time and encouragement đ
Another imperfect video of real life training. Today I talked about helping Elliot become more comfortable with clippers. We use classical conditioning to help him learn that the sound of clippers equals treats. Mistakes are made and you can watch the body language to see where it happens!
Have you ever taught a pet âtouchâ or target?
Check out this video to learn the hows and whys of this fun behavior đ
P.S. Sorry you canât see my face at all đ€Ł
Management Tip of the Day!
Moksha is all about helping me in the kitchen but Marsie is super worried about the mess and commotion (her body language tells me she is nervous: ears back, worried face, lifting one paw up, quickly flicking her tongue out like a snake, and startling easily)!! Weâre using management (preventing her from being part of something that scares her) to allow her to feel safe and relaxed in another space far away from the kitchen (her body language in the video that shows us she is happy: ears forward, jaw loose, body and tail wiggling loosely, âhappyâ face, able to easily offer a default behavior she knows well: âsettleâ). She has an awesome puzzle toy stuffed with soft food so that her mind and body stay busy while sheâs by herself!
Even better yet: My home is fairly small and open so adding white noise as a barrier between the rooms and turning on familiar music would be helpful if I was making a lot of noise in the kitchen.
How do you manage your pets to prevent them from being in situations that scare them?
Do your cats prefer toys that creep along the ground or fly in the air? My kitties love the flying toys. I make sure they âwinâ a couple times each session by letting them catch their prey and enjoy it đș
A very IMPERFECT but real life example of playing the engage/disengage game. Luckily Mars was able to keep eating treats but I pushed her way too close to her threshold of what she was able to handle before becoming too worried (what body language did you notice that tells us she was worried? Comment below!). If we expose our dogs to something that makes them too worried or reactive and they are unable to eat treats, they wonât be able to learn and their fear and anxiety will actually increase. Remember to go slowly, making it easy for your dog to succeed and FUN for both of you. Check out the engage/disengage poster below for more details if youâve never played the game!!
Arya figured this toy out in minutes đ»
I just got home from an in-home behavior consult and wanted to share some thoughts while relaxing in my hammock!
Today I talk about different types of training methods; why some look so effective but cause unintended consequences and then some fun and safe alternatives! Hope you enjoy!!
