Congratulations on your new puppy! You’re in luck, because learning how to train your dog from scratch is much easier than trying to get them to unlearn bad habits. Puppies are obsessed with getting your attention, and are very eager to please. This makes it the ideal time to begin puppy leash training when they’re young. As with every other type of training, leash training a puppy takes consistency and patience. It’s a little difficult at first, but keep at it and you’ll have a perfectly behaved pup padding along on a slack leash at your side during every walk. Start off by understanding the psychology of how to train your dog. All animals in nature work off of reward systems. If they behave in a certain way that brings about a desired result, their brains will give them a massive jolt of pleasure. Keeping that in mind, you have to remember to never reward your puppy for an undesirable behavior. In this case you must avoid rewarding your puppy for pulling against the leash. It will cause the both of you discomfort and will set you back a good deal in leash training a puppy. So before taking your puppy on its first walk, get it used to the leash by letting the pup wear it around the house. They’ll drag it around, chew on it, and generally act cute but eventually the walking implement will be forgotten. Once they’ve achieved a level of comfort with the leash, take up your end and walk around the house with them. Figuring out how to train your dog is about getting them used to being right by your side with a lot of slack on the leash. Doing this in a controlled environment free of all the distractions in the outside world will do wonders for their self-control. While you’re performing the puppy leash training exercises, it’s important to reward your puppy for the proper behavior. Keep a package of their favorite treats on you, and reward them every time they find themselves in the correct position. However, if their tendency is to pull away and keep the leash taut you’ll have to do the most frustrating thing imaginable for both of you. Keep still. This is where your patience is key. Puppy leash training will drive you to your wits end if you have a particularly stubborn pup, and the first few sessions are going to be tasking no matter what.  Still the best way to break them of bad leash training habits is to let their undesirable behavior go unrewarded. They have to realize that whenever they pull in the wrong direction, they won’t go anywhere. So when a puppy begins pulling, stop in your tracks and call them back. Once they return to your side reward them with plenty of praise and a tasty treat. Repeat this process until your brain is numb and you’ll have a perfectly leash trained puppy.

Anyone that’s ever rented an apartment knows about the pet clause. There are breeds that many leasing offices won’t tolerate. These so called “dangerous dogs” are blacklisted and treated a little more like animals than usual. However, this overarching reactionary attitude begs the question: is this kind of puppy profiling helpful in preventing dog bites? Does an animal’s bad attitude spring from the womb, or is does theproblem lie elsewhere? Is the label, “dangerous breed” an arbitrary and inaccurate term? German Shepherds, Doberman Pinchers, Pit Bulls, Rottweiler, Huskies, and Chow Chows have all at one time or another been lambasted as aggressive or dangerous dogs.  This is due to a study performed by the CDC that recorded dog-related deaths between 1979 and 1988. These animals were near the top of the list. But the list didn’t properly reflect the rare nature of dog attacks. Pit bulls were rated the most dangerous dog with 66 deaths. That’s less death in a decade than can be attributed to bee stings in a single year. If certain breeds really are more vicious then why do so many people love and adore their particular dogs? Dogs that never show their teeth to anybody, not even the mailman. Luckily, insurance companies applied common sense to the situation and started keeping dangerous dog registries, rather than blanket dangerous breed labeling. Despite these advances in the battle against doggy discrimination there are still pockets of resistance against greater understanding of the complex relationship dynamics between people and canines. The state of Ohio labels Pit bulls as dangerous dogs, and requires a whole slew of state ordinances for bull owners to abide by. Now to be fair to the legislature, Pit bulls have long been bred for aggression. A “game” pit bull is a particularly prized possession for certain seedier denizens of back alleys. Generations of this sort of breeding have taken place for the sole purpose of creating fighting dogs. Whereas thousands of years of domestication moved dogs toward docility and sociability, it’s only taken several generations to turn Pit bulls into some savage competitors. Despite the terrible mistreatment many of these “dangerous dogs” must endure, they are still extremely amiable companions to a properly educated human. They’ve been trained and bred to fight other dogs, and usually don’t make for the best pets in homes with multiple animals or children, but to their adult owners they are fiercely loyal. It takes a strong hand and a cool head to handle one of these rescued fighters, but it just goes to show that no amount of mistreatment is as powerful as kindness. With even the most terrible treatment, no dog is beyond salvage. This makes the pit bull its own greatest advocate. If a dog bred over several generations for fierce aggression and unbridled savagery can, within its own lifetime, become a loving companion, it proves that every animal needs to be dealt with on an individual basis. Even a dangerous dog can beat a bad rap through the simple application of love.

Don’t you just love a fat cat? Aren’t you just smitten with kittens? When you get home from work, do you make a B-line for your feline? All cutesy kitty poetry aside, cats are great companions who can provide hours of entertainment. Don’t you wish you could share in some more group activities? Maybe you should teach them some cat tricks. You must be thinking: “How do I train cats?” Well, you’ve read this far basically on the momentum of the poetry, but what if you found out that learning to train cats is easy? While cat training is fairly easy, it can be frustrating as well. Cats are not dogs. They do not wait on your beck and call. Whereas a puppy might decide to play dead in order to get a smile and a word of affirmation, cat tricks will require a more substantial bribe. Finicky creatures that they are, you’ll have to choose your treats wisely. Tuna snacks are a popular choice, and there is no lack of cat treat recipes online. So how to train cats? Well, it’s a simple process that takes time and repetition to complete. First thing’s first. You’ve got to get kitty to sit. Sitting is a foundation of all other cat tricks. It’s required to get your cat’s attention. The cat will need to be standing still to begin any sort of training. Since Kitty is more likely to do this in a sitting position rather than standing, it makes more sense to teach this cat trick first. Secondly, a lot of the other tricks must be performed from the sitting position. To train cats to sit, utter the command and put light pressure on the cat’s rump. It may take time, but eventually the cat will either sit of its own volition or due to your prompting. Once that’s accomplished, immediately reward your cat with a tasty treat, a pat on the head, and exclaim in your sweetest tone of baby talk:” Good kitty!” You can also say “Good Sit!” Or “Hallelujah!” if your cat is particularly stubborn. Whatever you like, really. It’s your cat, go nuts. Once you’ve got sit down, (no pun intended) the other tricks come pretty naturally. After sit, learning how to train cats is a breeze. Begin with sitting, then just say the command while performing the following actions, and always reward with petting, treats, and kind words. You can have them shake by placing your hand behind their front leg and bumping a paw, You can hold out a hand palm upward for a “low five,” Hold it outstretched for a “high five,” Hold a treat above the cat’s head to have him “Sit Up,” And hold a treat at eye level to get the cat to “wave.” Remember while learning how to train cats, you must be patient and consistent, and never expect Mr. Mittens to perform for laughs. Always have those treats ready, or prepare to face the wrath of kitty! Need more help? Check out these helpful training videos!

Having an aggressive kitty on your hands can be more than a handful. Cats are usually demure, aloof, and playful little critters, but a few hazardous pitfalls can really ruin their disposition. The fastidious feline nature of your average kitty cat gives them a fragile temperament that can become easily unbalanced. However, with the right motivation and correct information even the meanest of these half feral bad cats can be turned around with relative ease. The goal of this article is to educate you about the potential causes and easy methods to avert an overly aggressive cat. An angry cat is always the direct result of some untoward stimulus in its environment. Being such sensitive animals their triggers are numerous. Anything from a messy home, loneliness, or even something as simple as an active play session can be factors. The key to figuring out your bad cat’s behavioral puzzle is paying attention to their actions, noting changes in their behavior, and always seeking proper authoritative answers when the trouble becomes serious. The first stop after determining your cat to be overly aggressive is the Vet’s office. Discussing an aggressive cat with your vet can be informative at the least and powerfully productive in most other scenarios. If your bad cat is hurting or not feeling well, then that’s an obvious answer to their being moody. Keep good notes of any changes in your cat’s daily routines or any abnormal activities going on around it so that you’ll have no lack of information to share with your veterinarian. If there is an ailment related cause to your angry cat, then the vet will be the best, first, and only source you’ll need to consult. Another common cause of angst amongst kitties is an abundance of testosterone. If you’ve got a Tom with an attitude, you should consider getting him fixed. Male cats are inherently more aggressive than females. They have all that tiger blood coursing through their veins making them territorial and unpredictable. Not unlike Charlie Sheen before an interview on 60 Minutes. However, having an angry cat is not a “winning” situation. Or perhaps your place is a little overcrowded for your cuddly critter. If there is a lack of cat assets then you may have a berserker miniature lion mauling the toes of houseguests at every turn. Make sure that your cat has enough clean litter, food & water/food & water bowls, playthings, sitting spots, etc. Cats are used to being worshiped and pampered. Allow them to live luxuriously. If all else fails, seek professional help. A bad cat is a big problem. Sometimes people forget that cats, despite being super cute and ultra-adorable, can be dangerous adversaries. Their claws are razor sharp and they are quick, vicious, and hard to catch besides. Look around your area for an animal behaviorist or some such other pet expert. That’s all the cat tips you get for now. Until next time be benevolent owners and vigilant parents to your favorite furry felines! <--I prefer this kind of cat aggression.

Ah, the smug and snuggly kitty cat. It sprawls out comfortably on your keyboard to quietly survey its domain. Its eyes lazily gaze over to your new sofa. Claws go out and retract in sudden anticipation. A moment later mittens has carved a brand new pattern into the rich Italian leather. Meanwhile, you’re grinding away at work, blissfully ignorant of the damage you will find upon returning to the homestead.   Worry not! The cat scratch fever doesn’t have to infect your life. Keeping cat scratches in a contained and manageable area doesn’t need to be a source of constant worry. It’s as easy as ABC. You know, that is if ABC spelled constant supervision and a thorough plan of attack. Why Do Cats Scratch? Cat scratching is mostly about marking territory. They love to rip up hard, highly visible surfaces. It’s a way for them to decorate their living space, while simultaneously leaving their scent, (through glands located in their paws). Moreover, they think it is perfectly acceptable and normal behavior. Even if you berate them verbally or spray them with water bottles, they will only know that sometimes their scratching will draw punishment, without making the connection that it’s bad manners. Cat Scratch the Itch Instead of trying to stop the cat scratching, a tactic that is sure to fail, you have to redirect the scratching to an area of your choice. In other words, you need to give your cat a more tempting target. That’s why scratching posts are effective, and in some cases: high dollar items. The ideal scratching post is taller than your cat—at least 28 inches, a rough and tough surface that they can really sink their claws into, and placed right in the middle of everything. A high visibility area is important because your cat wants everyone to know what a good little scratcher he or she is. Some preferable materials for scratching posts are as follows: Wood. A tree stump to be more precise. Evolutionarily speaking, it’s what they’re used to. It’s a tough surface they can tear up with pleasure, and it gives a homespun log cabin-esque aesthetic to your humble abode. Sisal. Sisal rope or material, are both excellent choices for cat scratching posts, and have long been considered the industry standards. Carpet. These posts are a highly diverse option, with numerous patterns and materials to match your personal décor. Cardboard. Most Cardboard cat scratching posts are refillable, making them more practical than the carpet ones that have to be replaced entirely after heavy use. Further Countering Cat Claws Beyond the material, you might also try putting cat nip on the posts to attract the cat. Also remember that all cats aren’t created equal. Some might prefer a certain material over another. You may have to try a few different options before settling on the best fit for your feline. Now that you’ve armed yourself with knowledge, get to work and keep your couch cat scratch free from now on!

Nothing is cuter than a fresh faced little tail-wagger nipping at your fingers while at play. However, the game gets old quickly as their jaws get stronger. Puppies are cute, but there’s nothing cute about a full grown dog that hasn’t learned restraint. It’s best to break them of it when they’re young. After all, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. First, understand that there isn’t anything wrong with a puppy biting, nipping, chewing, gnawing, or any other mouth-related actions he or she might take. It’s what they were born to do. The problem occurs when you haven’t properly socialized the munching mutt. Puppies need guidance, and that usually comes from a consistent set of rules enforced at regular intervals. The puppies that are worst behaved are usually the most confused, due to inconsistency. So what should you do, specifically? Begin by reassuring yourself.  Training to avoid puppy biting isn’t particularly difficult. Here are some general do’s and don’ts to stop puppy biting. Do: Yell “Ouch!” When your hand starts to sting from a puppy bite, make a loud noise and disengage from play. This makes an association in the puppy’s mind between hard biting and losing a playmate. It’s the same way puppies intermingle in the litter. Keep a toy handy. Every time you fall victim to a puppy bite, replace your flesh with a chew toy. They will eventually learn to chew on plastic rather than knuckle bones. If your puppy is teething, give them ice cubes to chew on. The cold is soothing to their sore gums. Wear kid gloves. One thing you can do to stop puppy biting is wear rubber gloves and coat them with a bitter or foul tasting substance. The puppy will latch on, give you a confused look, remove your hand from its mouth, and probably shake its head in a humorous fashion. Obedience training.  Giving your dog a well-rounded education will make him a lot more manageable. So eliminate puppy biting and teach them a few useful commands in one fell swoop. Don’t: Don’t overdo it. Once you’ve found a training method you like, stick with it. Don’t overload your puppy with 20 different teaching techniques. Don’t hit the puppy. Never strike your dog. Hands are for loving. If both pain and petting come from the same outlet, your dog will either think you are playing with them or they will become frightened of you. Both results are more likely to increase puppy biting. Don’t wrestle around. Chasing or grappling with your puppy is fun, but they are dominance related activities. It’s best to avoid this during puppy bite training. Once puppy biting has ceased to be a problem, you can resume wrestling, but always be sure to calm your dog with petting and a soft reassuring voice when you’re done playing. Follow these tips and your puppy will seem a lot cuddlier and far less intimidating. Stay tuned for more vital pet information for your everyday life.

Cats are no problem. You feed them, leave out some litter, and throw them in after they eat. Simple stuff. To Train your dog? That’s a lot more difficult. Puppies are quick learners, of habits both good and bad. So the first thing you want to be sure of is instilling the right behaviors in your dog, and keeping consistent throughout their first year. Habits learned during puppy-hood will stick in their minds during their entire lifetimes, making it of paramount importance to set your routine how you want it immediately. Everyone Hates Wet Socks First thing’s first: Potty training. There is nothing more irritating than coming home from a tough day’s work, taking off your shoes, and getting your socks wet and yellow as you stride over to your couch. It’s even worse if you’re walking on a Persian carpet at the moment of sock-soiling.  To avoid this you’ll have to be diligent at first and consistent thereafter. House training a puppy takes time and patience. You’ll more than likely be ready to throttle your pup after the third day, but resist the urge. Remember that any mistakes are part of the learning process. Get used to them. Be Consistent! Start to train your dog by getting on a schedule as soon as possible. Take the playful puppy out as soon as he wakes up, again after his morning meal, and frequently ever after. A good rule of thumb goes by age: for every month they’ve been alive, that’s an hour they can hold their bladder. So if you have a three month old puppy, then you should be able to wait three hours between potty breaks. It’s the Little Things that Count When you take your playful puppy out train your dog using a consistent buzz word to remind them what they are doing. Tell them to “Go potty,” or some other equivalent command.  The important thing is you use that same consistent command that they understand and associate with the action. After they’ve finished their business, you must praise them liberally so that they know they’ve pleased you. This method will work better with some breeds than others. You may want to go as far as giving them a treat whenever they’ve relieved themselves properly. Train Your Dog Forever! After a few successful runs, you will notice accidents becoming far less frequent. Dogs will pick up on what’s expected of them fairly quickly when the circumstances surrounding the rules remain constant. This is good, but don’t let up! Train your dog with regularity, because backsliding has been known to occur, and accidents are inevitable. Your Playful Puppy will make mistakes, and you must be patient. Tell them “no” When they piddle indoors, but don’t make a big deal out of it. They will start getting scared to make water in front of you and that will be a real problem come walky time. That’s the long and short of it. Remember consistency and vigilance are the key. Keep an eye out and a leash ready!

Everyone knows that a dog loves travelling. They like the car rides, they love the destinations, and they enjoy virtually any outdoor activity that you’ll let them be involved with. But what about their feline counterparts? Many people don’t think to bring cats on outdoor adventures, because of the cat’s independent and solitary nature. Although traveling with cats is less common than doggy day-tripping, a tabby loves to get out of the house once in a while as well. Feline Family Outing Destinations So where is a proper pit stop for a pet stop? Cats enjoy a lot of the same places as dogs. A park is just as much fun for kitties. Even a beach visit can go over pretty well, so long as you make sure your travel cat stays well away from the surf. So grab a leash and take a stroll with your feline friend. If you trust him or her not to range too far, go ahead and set them loose. Try to keep them within eye shot, but don’t worry too much. Cats are awesome survivalists, and have excellent senses of direction. They’ve been known to find their way back home over vast distances. Of course, use your best judgment here. If your cat has a history of disappearing for days at a time, this might not be the best idea for you. Your travel cat will appreciate a trip to any outdoor area filled with birds, squirrels, or mice. But perhaps you are aching to go on vacation, and are loathe to leave your feline behind.  There are a lot of options for kitty’s vacation plans. There are plenty of pet friendly hotels with an assortment of pet related activities available on hotel grounds. Pet Friendly Hotels The Hilton hotel’s Pet Friendly program is particularly notable. This program includes a stain-, water- and microbial-resistant pet bed, food and water bowls with placemat, and a pet amenity kit containing waste clean-up bags and treats inside a pet owner’s room. The famous hotel chain even goes so far as to have pet concierge services to inform guests of local pet boutiques and veterinary offices. The fact that such a major hotel franchise is beginning to offer these pet friendly services just goes to show how popular pet travel is becoming. Cautions Curiosity Can Save a Travel Cat Speaking of the vet, make sure to have your cat’s veterinary and vaccination records handy whenever you travel together. You never know what might happen, and it’s better to have the paperwork handy. Also remember that while travelling your cat might be nervous and won’t eat as much. Try to make travel cat comfy by feeding it as soon as you arrive at your pet friendly hotel, and once again before bed time. Don’t’ worry if they don’t finish the meal, that’s normal. Just continue business as usual. Kitty will follow your lead and adjust accordingly. As always you never know what kind of tiny invasion force is awaiting the travel cat at any given destination. So before you head out be sure to stock up on any pet medications you might need.