Pet Training and Behavior

Brushing Your Pet

Brushing your pet on a regular basis is a great way to keep his coat shiny and healthy. Spending a just few minutes brushing them each week can also help you keep an eye out for any fleas and ticks as well as abnormal lumps that may suddenly appear.

Now, most dogs and cats enjoy being brushed because it feels great but it also gives you some quality time together. One more bonus is the reduction in shedding.  Reducing your pets shedding will help keep your home cleaner and healthier.

Watch Animal Planet's new series, Groomer Has It, premiering April 12 at 9 pm e/p!

Quick Tips for Kids

Here are some more tips for parents of small children to help your child become good pet caregivers:

1. Running and screaming can frighten some dogs and may entice other dogs, especially herding breeds, to chase and nip in play.  Encourage calm, quiet activities with your children and your dog.

2. As tempting as it is to want to hug your dog, dogs don't always enjoy it – many feel trapped – if your dog doesn't enjoy being hugged how about a belly rub or a gentle rub along his side -- most dogs love that! 

3. It's also very important to recognize the signs that your dog's scared or upset and wants to be left alone.  Teach your child these signs too. 

Some of these signs include:  Eyes widening, excessive panting, growling, ears pressed flat against their head, tail tucked, their bodies in a crouched position, hiding or trying to get away. 

4. Kids are curious! Make sure they understand that a dog's crate or dog-safe area is a part of his own personal space and is off limits. Consider using a gate to section off  an area for your dog that will keep younger children away from the crate while still allowing your dog to have full access. This will help give your dog his own private place when he needs a break.

For more tricks, visit petvideo.com .

Pet Adoption with Kids

Here are a few quick tips when considering adopting a new pet for your family.

1. Adopting a friendly, calm, adult animal who has a known history of getting along with young children may be the best choice for your family.

2. As a parent, you want your child to be safe around your dog. You want to know which breeds are good with children and which aren't. The truth is, all dogs have the potential to bite, and a dog's breed is only one of many factors that affect temperament and behavior.

3. The best dogs for kids are those who receive proper socialization, humane and family-friendly training, proper amounts of exercise and attention.

For more tips, visit petvideo.com.

 

Do As I Do

The best way to teach your children how to be good and caring pet caregivers is to be one yourself.  Here are five ways to lead by example:   

1.  Here is a great relationship builder for you and your dog or cat.  Hand feed him part of his meals – I know this sounds crazy – but this is a fantastic way to bond with your pet and it really sets the tone for who is in charge.

Taking just a few minutes to hand feed your dog will also provide you with a daily training session where you can teach your dog to take things gently from your hands. 

2. Teach your children to leave your dog alone while he's eating, sleeping or chewing on a bone.  They also need to know that they should never stick their face right in your dog's face.   

3. Include your children in daily pet activities - meals, treats (demo how kids should give a treat) or getting his leash when it's time to go for a walk or car ride. Choose tasks which will be appropriate for the age of your child. Doing this will help your pet develop a positive association with your children.  Helping out will also teach your children about the responsibilities of caring for a pet and give them a sense of competency and accomplishment. 

4. It's very that important children understand your pet isn't a toy and in fact, is very delicate. Make it clear that there can be no tail or ear pulling, chasing, jumping on, hitting, teasing, yelling or any other behavior that could frighten or hurt your pet. 

5. Involve your children in pet-training activities.  Kids are usually great trainers! The experience will not only help make your pet a well-mannered family member, but also teach your child patience, negotiating skills, communication skills and humane treatment of animals.

For more pet training ideas, visit petvideo.com.

Purrfect Way to Say I Love You

If you've got some empty boxes lying around – don't toss them aside ... you can create a great kitty-cat fort that your cat will absolutely love!    A kitty-cat fort can be a special place that your cat can escape to and have a blast! 

First, get a bunch of boxes in different sizes and styles.   Empty out any of the packing materials and check the boxes to make sure there aren't any staples or sharp edges that might hurt your cat. 

Next, grab some packing tape and a sturdy pair of scissors or exact-o knife.     Cut some holes in the boxes to create doors, tunnels, windows, maybe even a sun roof!  Now, tape a bunch of the boxes together using packing tape to create different levels of play – think tunnels, towers, zigzags and more!

Finally, add a personal touch to the fort.   Have the kids help decorate the outside with crayons, markers or stickers.   To cozy up the inside, place an old t-shirt somewhere near a window so she can lounge in the sun.   You might even wasn't to add some curtains or a feather boa to the side for your cat to swat at.    Voila – a kitty cat fort fit for a queen!

Every now and then change her fort a bit.   Add a new box or take a box away.   Hide new toys in there and stash some of her favorite treats in a couple corners for a treasure hunt. You might even want to sprinkle some catnip for an extra surprise. Continue being creative, keeping in mind what your cat considers fun!

Watch a video of this project to see how it's done!

Get more fun ideas for your cat at petvideo.com.

Is a pet the purr-fect gift?

While on the surface it may seem like a good idea to give a puppy or kitten to your sweetheart – in fact it's not a good choice at all.   Deciding to get a pet is a very personal decision.   That's why I never recommend (or more specifically I recommend against) giving pets as gifts. Having a pet is not all fun and games. It requires time, responsibility and often – a good deal of clean-up. 

If you are absolutely set upon giving your sweetie a furry little creature this Valentine's Day, consider this alternate idea – wrap up a leash and collar along with a reference book like Before and After You Get Your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar or an alternate book on how to select the right cat, bird, etc.   You might even include an adoption gift certificate from your local animal shelter, a handmade gift certificate for the first veterinarian check-up or a magazine subscription focused on the type of pet you'll be getting. Again – I urge you not to give a pet as a gift.   

Choosing a pet is a highly personal decision that involves a long-term commitment, plus an investment of time and money. So, be creative and promise your sweetheart a gift of love that you can choose after planning and researching it together.

Learn more about bringing home a new pet at petvideo.com.

The Power of No

If there is one word kids seem to latch onto it is "no."  Now, while there is nothing wrong with telling your dog "no", they often hear it so much that, like children, they begin to tune it out!  Also, from a training perspective, the word "no" doesn't give your dog enough information!

Telling your dog "no" leaves him wondering what you *do* want. So, if your dog jumps up to say hello and you say "no," he may jump higher or he may jump more to the left or the right. 

Really the possibilities in his mind are endless!! 

Here's an easier way to correct an unwanted behavior:

Instead of telling your dog "no," tell him what you want him to do.  If he jumps up to say hello, ask him to "sit."  It's so much easier for you and the dog if you just tell him what you want him to do.

For more tips on communicating with your dog, visit petvideo.com.

Home Sweet Home

Make sure your dog has a private place – like a Doggie Den. Your dog should have an area that is all his own ... a place that he can escape to and feel safe and secure – like a doggie den or crate.  Above all make sure that when your dog is in there he knows he is safe especially from children who he may need a break from.  Do not allow children to play in your dog's crate.

For more doggie tips, visit petvideo.com

Photo courtesy: muttropolis.com

Small Children, Small Pets?

When you and your family watch the Puppy Bowl this weekend, it might be very tempting to want to adopt a sweet little puppy or kitten for your children. 

Many families with young children choose a kitten or puppy, believing these pets are safer, easier to train, and more adaptable than older, larger pets. But this isn't always true. Because puppies and kittens are fragile, they require lots of extra time and care, and are prone to play-related scratching and biting. They may not be appropriate for homes with young children.

Get more tips at petvideo.com

Puppy Games!

While Animal Planet is getting ready for Sunday's action-packed Puppy Bowl IV, I thought it might be fun to teach you another game you can try with your dog.

This one is simply called, Spin.

Start with your dog standing and facing you. Let your dog see a treat in your hand and point your finger out. Now, slowly bring your hand with the treat in a circular motion and say "spin". When your dog spins around and faces you again, say, "Good!" and give him the treat with lots of praise.

Do this a few times then try to move your hand only about 3/4 of the way and see if he'll complete the circle on his own. Give your dog a break then repeat these steps again.

Once he gets it go ahead and give him another break before moving on. This time only bring your treat hand around half way. Do this a couple of times. If your dog seems to get it your ready to try the motion with just your finger.  After some practice you can just say "spin" by itself. Before you know it your dog can do this!   

Try this at your Puppy Bowl party and your guests will be impressed!

Learn other fun games & tricks at petvideo.com