pet training

Puppy kindergarten, or puppy socialization class, is a vital part of your puppy’s upbringing. Puppy kindergarten teaches basic obedience and how to play safely with other dogs. It also exposes your puppy to  variety of stimuli that can help … Read More

As the New Year dawns, I encourage pet owners to resolve to improve their pets’ lives in 2009. A happier, healthier pet will make you happy, too. My resolutions include taking a Flyball class with my … Read More

Training with distractions is a great way to make sure a learned behavior will be performed on cue in a variety of situations. Dogs don’t automatically generalize learning. If you train your dog to sit in the living … Read More

Most dogs need their nails trimmed regularly, but few of them enjoy it. Worse yet, a clumsy snip could cut into the quick, causing profuse bleeding. I quicked my own fingernail recently after I was startled … Read More

Dear PetLvr Mailbag … My family is in the market for a puppy and when I went to obedience class with a dog years ago they had me use a 30′ lead and a choker to … Read More

Most dogs and owners can benefit from studying with a good, professional trainer. Many trainers offer both group classes and private lessons. Which is the best choice? That depends entirely on your needs and the needs of … Read More

As an owner of six cats, we’ve tried virtually every cat training tool or gadget at one point or another. One really worthwhile cat gadget is a cat training alarm – a must-have for all cat … Read More

Most pet rats don’t bite. I’ll say that again for emphasis: Most pet rats do not bite. The vast majority of domestic Norwegian rats are far less likely to bite than hamsters, mice, or gerbils. Rats are … Read More

A jumping dog is seeking attention. In order not to reward the behavior, the best response is to ignore it. You’ve met a kid who acts up even though his parents yell at him, because he … Read More

There are few things less fun than dancing around a fire hydrant blowing on one’s hands while waiting for one’s dog to do its business in below-zero temperatures, let alone taking the dog for a long … Read More

Food thieving is a common problem, but tough to solve because it is self-rewarding. There is no point in punishing the dog once she’s gotten food. The punishment will only serve to create fear at this point, because … Read More

Kittens can be almost as difficult as newborn human babies when it comes to letting their caregivers get a full night’s sleep! If you’re a pet parent to a young kitten or two, you’ve probably been … Read More

In agility shows, dogs jump over hoops, run up and down ladders and zigzag through obstacles. The dogs appear to be having fun, and they enjoy being rewarded for their effort in the end. Not only … Read More

Once a dog has learned to sit, come, fetch, and stay, and perhaps do a few tricks, many pawrents stop training new behaviors. It’s easy to stop with the basics, but ongoing training yields many rewards. Dogs … Read More

Earlier this week, I talked about two traits of an ethical pet shop. But, of course, the full picture could never fit in a single post; so, today, we’ll look at one more very important feature of an ethical … Read More

Dear PetLvr Mailbag, I have a pit lab mix that loves too much. She is about 55 lbs and strong as an ox. She has been trained to not jump on me when I come home … Read More

As anyone who’s ever had a fearful adult dog can attest, eliminating an established fear is tricky, whether it’s a common one like thunderstorm phobia or something more unusual, like a friend of a friend’s dog … Read More

Many dogs retrieve (fetch) naturally, and begin to do so from puppyhood with no special training and no reward other than their enjoyment of retrieving. However, other dogs either don’t chase a ball at all, don’t … Read More

Dear Jelena … Is it ok for a dog to growl when they have their bone in their dog bed and a child approaches in a manner that the dog views as possible attempt to take … Read More

It’s not always easy to find time for your dog, especially if you have work, a family, school, and other committments weighing heavily on your time. However, it doesn’t always take hours of hard work to prevent problem … Read More

You’ve got a puppy. Congratulations! Now is the time to prevent behavior problems in adulthood. Many serious issues can be prevented by properly raising your pup. More dogs die each year in the United States due … Read More

By OTTB, I mean, of course, an Off the Track Thoroughbred. In other words, a retired racehorse, like my Ember, aka Embrace Reality, pictured below. OTTBs can excel in most disciplines, are generally inexpensive compared to … Read More

I cringe every time I see a dog wearing a barking collar, particularly the type that delivers a painful shock to a dog’s neck. These collars are stronger than many people think. When I put a … Read More

If you remember my introduction, you will recall that I have two cats. Both are kitty litter trained and although I know how to toilet train them, neither of them are. The main (and probably only) … Read More

Would you like to teach your horse to lie down on command? How about improving your mare’s flying lead changes, or testing a young horse’s jumping potential without needing to place a rider on his back? … Read More

Wouldn’t a goldfish in a fish bowl be a cute gift for your six-year-old? It’ll teach her responsibility and be a source of constant entertainment. It’s a classic, seen in movies, comic strips, and children’s books … Read More

The subprime mortgage crisis, declines in some sectors of the economy, and a rising cost of living have led to more families moving out of houses and into apartments, townhomes, and condos. I see ads on … Read More

This year, Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer , became my mentor. What is he about? He is about teaching us that the human family is not only part of the pack, the human family has to … Read More

Good Morning Hart and Readers, I am a guest blogger here for the week. I am going to enjoy this immensely. Somehow it’s different when one is blogging as a guest than it is blogging in … Read More

Housebreaking is something anyone will want to do no matter the breed of dog they own. Fortunately for the human companions of Golden Retrievers, that’s a much easier task with these intelligent, eager to please pups. … Read More

By Bonnie Martin Frequently I talk to, hear of, or read about someone who bought a trained horse and after riding it for a period of time decide that the horse needs to go to a … Read More

Ferrets, like many of the cousins in the weasel family, have a natural musky scent. Over time that can build up to an unpleasant level. That happens too often in pet stores and the homes of … Read More

Like baby dogs (pups) and baby cats (kittens) …. baby ferrets (kits) like to chew. They use their teeth to nip and explore. But since they’re so small and sharp, that can be a painful experience. … Read More