Pets
are animals. That seems pretty stupid to say, but it’s a fact Jack, they are animals.
Unless we teach them how to behave politely in a human world, they behave like animals. Some of the pets
adopted from the shelter just haven’t been shown how to act in order to be a successful member of a human home.
The biggest killer of dogs is owners who don’t train them.
When
you bring a dog or a cat or even a ferret into your
home, you are making a commitment to love and
care for that animal for its lifetime. It is a commitment that is no different to the one you make when you have or
adopt a child, and it is essential to consider this BEFORE you purchase or adopt any animal and bring it into
your home. Keep in mind, pets can live up to 25 years, some birds and fish even longer. Lassie
and all those animal movie stars, the participants of Pet Star and even the dog heeling at its owner’s
knees didn’t just decide to behave nicely or cleverly. A pet’s idea of clever is to steal the food without getting caught.
We suggest positive reinforcement training. Please ask around about training types in our area before picking a class
for your dog. Here are some classes that we have heard good things about from some of our volunteers.
Classes. Teaching
your pet manners is a 24/7 commitment. Along with the formal training time you should take
with your pet, watch for behavior you can reinforce by praise or treats during the day. Remember, your pet
wants to please you. It is up to you to show him how to do that. For instance: your dog is settling down for
a nap. As soon as it gets into its sleep position, stroke it gently and say, “good settle.” There
is some wonderful information on line for training your pets.
Read, join an e-mail list and learn
about being a good pet owner. The following links are for cats and dogs. We do not endorse any products
for sale on these links. We are just giving you the addresses of useful information. Read through this information then decide
if it is right for you and your pet. Ask your vet if you have any questions reguarding information you find on line.
Here are some links to help you: Some fun sites for your pets!
2. Dog’s Body Language
3. Calming Signals
4. Getting it right when you rescue 'Rover'
5. Cat and Kitten Training, Behavior and Psychology
6. Animal Behavior Advice
7. Children and Dogs
8. Preparing Your Dog for the New Baby
9. Dog Scouts of America. A site that
if full of information and fun things to do.
10.
Becoming Leader of Your Pack
11.
The Canine Behavior Series
12. Talking Dog; Body Language
13. Clicker Training Videos
14. Introducing New Dog to Old Dog
2. Who Wants a COOKIE?!
3. Cat Treats
4. Dog Treats
5. More Dog Treats
