Getting help for your pet We offer several free options to help regardless of your pet’s behavior! Frequently Asked Questions
Teaching your Dog to Not Jump Up Definition: Rather than teach the dog to “not” do something, we will ask him to do something he knows how to do that is incompatible with jumping up on you or someone else. You may use “sit” or “touch” or some other behavior as your alternate incompatible behavior. Your dog…
Teaching your Dog to “Settle” Definition: “Relax, be calm.” Practical uses: “Settle” should be more relaxed than a “Down-stay” or “Sit-stay”; the dog need not maintain a specific position. You can use it in the waiting room at the veterinarian, or when you are out on a walk and stop to chat with a neighbor.
Teaching your Cat to “Sit” Definition: The cat’s hind end is touching the ground How to Teach: Sit: Stand or sit next to or in front of the cat, holding your clicker and treats. If you have treats that he wants, then the cat will wait for you to give him one. While he is waiting…
Teaching your Cat to “Sit Pretty” Definition: Cat will be sitting with his front paws in the air, as if begging How to Teach: After you have taught your cat to sit, you can then move to “Sit Pretty.” Your cat will sit when he is waiting for the clicker and treat. If you wait (up…
Teaching your Cat to “High Five” Definition: Cat touches one of his front paws to your hand. How to Teach: High Five: Sit or squat next to or in front of the cat. Hold your hand flat and in front of the cat, within paws reach. When he lifts one leg off the ground, click and treat…
Teaching your Cat to “Down” Definition: Lying down How to Teach: Down: The easiest way to teach this behavior is to catch the cat in the act. He will lie down when he feels comfortable. Watch for him to lie down, then click and treat. Deliver the treat so that he must get up to eat…
Starting Out Right with Your New Cat and the Litter Box Most cats have a specific preference about where they want to eliminate. By following the suggestions outlined in this handout, you’ll be able to start off on the right foot with your new cat. Location Most people are inclined to place the litter box in an out-of-the-way spot in order…
Standing tied by Brent Winston, trainer, Harmony Equine Center As I have been out riding this summer, I have noticed that a lot of people struggle with some of the same issues I used to struggle with. One of those issues is standing tied. It’s not uncommon for horses to pull back…
Solving Litter Box Problems Cats tend to have surface and location preferences for where, and on what, they like to eliminate. Most cats prefer a loose, sandy substance, which is why they will use a litter box. It’s only when their preferences include the laundry basket, the bed, or the Persian rug, that normal…
Shape Up by Brent Winston, equine trainer As we are being teased with warmer weather, many of us are anxious to get out and enjoy our horses with some trail-ride therapy. Maybe we haven’t had time to ride during the winter because it’s too dark by the time we get home or…
Separation Anxiety Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit behavior problems when they’re left alone. Typically, they’ll have a dramatic anxiety response within a short time (20-45 minutes) after their owners leave them. The most common of these behaviors are: Why Do Dogs Suffer From Separation Anxiety? We don’t fully understand exactly why some…
Resource Aggression Your new dog has a history of guarding food or other resources in the home. This means he (or she) may have frozen up, growled or even bitten! There is no guarantee that your dog will never guard again, but there are ways you can reduce the chances of it…
Remember the Release Point As a trainer, I often get the question, “How do I get my horse to do this?” or the statement, “My horse won’t do that.” Many times, as I’m offering advice about what I would do in a given situation, people tell me, “I tried that, and it didn’t work.”…
Re-housetraining Your Dog Many adult dogs adopted from animal shelters were housetrained by their previous homes. While at the shelter, however, they may not have gotten enough opportunities to eliminate outside, and consequently, they may have soiled their kennel areas. This tends to weaken their housetraining habits. Additionally, scents and odors from other…
Reducing Problem Behaviors Through Management It’s often important to manage situations while you’re working towards a final solution. In dog ownership, this means setting up your home and life in a way that prevents or discourages your dog from doing unwanted things. Management does not teach your dog what not to do. It simply prevents…
Dealing with normal puppy behavior: nipping and rough play When puppies play with each other, they use their mouths. Therefore, puppies usually want to bite or “mouth” hands during play or when being petted. This behavior is rarely aggressive and, therefore, not intended to cause harm. Because puppies are highly motivated to exhibit this type of behavior, attempts to…