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Behavior & Training

  • Cats are very good at hiding signs of pain, so cat owners need to be very observant to recognize behavior changes that indicate their cat needs help. Some of the most common behavior changes are associated with grooming and litter box habits. This handout describes these and other changes to watch for, as well as advice on how to support your aging cat.

  • Pain can be difficult to detect in older dogs. It is important for dog owners to recognize subtle signs of pain in their dog, such as slowing down on walks, unwillingness to play, reluctance to sit or stand, limping or weight shifting, and sensitivity to touch on being picked up. If any of these behaviors are observed, your dog should be evaluated by your veterinarian and a pain management plan devised.

  • Training a dog to understand human communications is easier when we consider how our tone and volume influence our message. Verbal commands will be interpreted differently by your dog depending on how they hear it. Just remember, it’s not just what you say….it’s how you say it.

  • Inappropriate elimination generally refers to urination and/or defecation in places other than the litter box. The behavior is sometimes referred to as ‘house soiling’. Inappropriate elimination may be due to a medical condition, a behavioral disorder, or both. Treatment is very specific to the underlying cause.

  • While dogs do not speak the human language, they still communicate quite effectively and tail wagging enhances their ability to communicate. Position and speed of tail wagging takes on different meanings. Interestingly, dogs do not talk to themselves. They will wag their tails in front of humans or other dogs, but they do not wag when alone!

  • Using desensitization and counterconditioning, a behavior modification technique, can change a pet's negative emotional response to triggers. The technique is well suited for pets experiencing fear, frustration, or hyperarousal. Desensitization must be done slowly and systematically to avoid inadvertently sensitizing the pet.

  • Dog Behavior and Training: Play and Exercise

    Jugar con los propietarios y con otros perros no sólo proporciona ejercicio al perro sino que también satisface sus necesidades sociales. La falta de ejercicio puede contribuir a problemas como la hiperexcitabilidad, el comportamiento destructivo, la búsqueda constante de atención, la vocalización excesiva (ladridos), etc. Es especialmente importante asegurarse de que el perro ha hecho suficiente ejercicio antes de dejarlo solo en casa.

  • Play is important. All kittens need the opportunity to play with toys as well as social play. While learning about their environment, kittens can damage valuable objects, including furniture and curtains. Toys and treats can be hidden inside empty boxes and kiddie tunnels to satisfy a kitten’s need to explore. Supervise kittens carefully to prevent damage and to keep them safe.

  • A la mayoría de los gatos no es necesario adiestrarlos para enseñarles a utilizar su bandeja. En general es suficiente con disponer una bandeja con un sustrato apropiado que les atraiga. Alrededor de los 30-36 días de vida, los gatitos dejan el nido para encontrar un lugar separado donde hacer sus necesidades.

  • Cat Behavior and Training: Cat Neutering and Behavior

    Cuando son machos, los animales de compañía, de trabajo o de producción suelen castrarse a menos que se quieran utilizar como reproductores. La castración es una práctica muy común para prevenir comportamientos sexuales inadecuados, reducir la agresividad y evitar la descendencia accidental o indiscriminada.