How Well Has Your Pet Trained You?

By Linda Cole

We are so misinformed in believing our pets are well trained by us. They actually have a unique ability to train us and in reality, we don't realize until after training is complete, how great a job they did on us. Don't believe me? Read on to see if you recognize any of the training tips pets use on us every day to get anything from a tasty treat to our attention. From our pet’s point of view, we are the ones who need training.

Housebreaking. One of the first things you do after getting a puppy is teach him where you want him to go. Our training begins the moment we frantically leap over an easy chair to stop the “accident,” which by then is usually already in progress, and rush the puppy outside as he/she leaves a trail out the door. Pups teach us to watch them like a hawk! Housebreaking a pup isn't difficult, once you learn their particular little dances and looks they give you when the crucial time has come and leakage is imminent.

Cooking utensils, laundry baskets and TV remotes crash to the floor as we attempt to get to the puppy before it's too late. People who never considered running sprints or jumping hurdles will fly over the couch or coffee table to get to their adorable puppy squatting in the middle of the living room. From a pup's point of view, we need training because watching a lumbering human race towards him with panic etched on their face and screaming, “NOOOOO,” is scary!


Food. If our pets had their way, we would be munching on kibble and giving them the steak. They might have a bowl full of premium CANIDAE pet food, but when you have any food of your own, the pressure is on to get you to share. Pleading eyes that could melt the heart of the most hardened scrooge follow the food from hand to mouth. If begging eyes fail to get your attention, dogs kick it up to the next level with a string of drool from the corner of their mouth. Dogs will also whine, plead, quiver in anticipation and try to get you to shake hands for just a smidgen of food that wouldn't sustain a mouse.

Cats, noble creatures that they are, would never resort to drooling like a dog for a smidgen of your food. Their tactic is simple – a defiant “stare down” to make you crumble. If that doesn't work, they go into stealth mode and try the “snatch and run” approach. Cats think nothing of leaving you with a bloody reminder of why you should share your food. The reason cat owners sit with their face close to their plate is so they can guard both sides from surprise attacks.

Pets can hear peanut butter being spread on a slice of bread across the street at the neighbor's house! I'm convinced snack food companies make loud crinkling bags as an alarm for pets. How many times have you quietly opened a bag of chips only to turn around to see your pet watching you with a look that says, “I wasn't asleep, and you can't fool me.”

Boredom and getting attention. From a pet's point of view, it's our job to keep them entertained and showered with attention, unless they find something more interesting to do, such as snooze in the sun or watch their house ghost (who's responsible for missing socks and spilled milk). Watching the house ghost is perfect for a cat, because there's no physical labor involved and she gets our attention when we look up to see what she's staring at.

Bored dogs take a more direct approach. They systematically disassemble furniture and remote controls, or eat socks. Cats swing from the curtains or race from one end of the house to the other, unless the house ghost is home. In that case, they just sit and stare into space. If you don't know your pet is bored, you aren't paying attention to their training. If your Great Dane brings you the couch for a game of fetch, that's a clue he's bored and needs some toys.

An unsolved mystery concerning cats is their ability to know, regardless of where they are, the exact moment some paper has been placed on a table in front of a human. I've never figured out if the cat is a magnet for paper or if the paper sends out an S.O.S. to the cat. It never fails; you turn away for one second and when you turn back, the cat is sitting in the middle of the paper. You are now required to scratch their ears.

Pets have their own unique way of providing us with the training they think we need. Now tell me, how well has your pet trained you?

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Earn a Dog's Trust with Positive Reinforcement

By Linda Cole

Dogs can be as difficult to figure out as humans are, but if we followed the same rule with our dogs as we do with people, we would treat them like we want to be treated. Dogs respond much better to positive reinforcement than they do to force. Training a dog with trust, respect and positive feelings is also much easier for the average dog owner. We should do no harm while interacting with our dogs. We often create unintended behavior by either not training our dogs or by not treating them with respect and understanding. Trust and respect goes two ways, and positive reinforcement will earn both. Gaining a dog's trust should be as important to us as that of another person.

Most dogs respond to us in the same manner we treat them. Affection, attention, understanding and patience are just as necessary when interacting with dogs as it is with children. We don't automatically get a child’s or dog's trust or respect just because we're bigger than they are. Both have to be earned, and positive reinforcement is the path to that goal.

I've been working with my ten month old Border Collie, Keikei. She was beginning to show food and leash aggression issues, and is still way too excited when we get ready to go outside, but she's a work in progress and doing a good job. Training her has been fun, even with her specific behavior problems, because she is willing and eager to learn. Using positive reinforcement to deal with her aggression and excitement issues has been more effective and faster than resorting to force. She's such a good girl and when I look in her eyes, I see a dog that wants to learn. By giving her the respect she deserves, I've gained her trust and respect, and she is happy to do what I ask.

Dogs should have only positive thoughts in their mind about us. I want my dogs to be happy to see me and be excited to learn what I'm trying to teach them. It doesn't matter if it takes a day, a month or longer to teach a dog something. The important thing is spending time with them in a positive way to reinforce your bond and keep their trust by being fair, consistent and patient at all times. Training a dog can be trying at times, but well worth the effort when you have your dog's trust and respect as his leader because he chooses to follow.

I don't believe in bad dogs or bad dog breeds. I do believe unacceptable dog behavior needs to be corrected before it becomes out of control, and changing their behavior is accomplished better by using positive reinforcement. Dogs are smart and they are capable of learning behavior from each other and their owner. Instead of forcing a dog to bend to your will, you teach a dog to do something because of mutual trust and respect. Dogs learn what we teach them, even when we don't realize we're teaching.

Dogs are just as imperfect as we are. Mistakes happen and at times, they can forget what we taught them. It's up to us as responsible dog owners to help our dogs maintain a positive frame of mind even when they need correction. If you have your dog's trust and respect, they know when you're disappointed or upset with them. The important thing about a dog's trust is that they know you will be fair and forgive them. Positive interaction with your pet is positive reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement isn't just about training and giving rewards. It's talking to them, petting them, snuggling with them, grooming and going for walks; this keeps the bond healthy and strong. When you love someone, you protect them, defend them, do what they ask and have trust and respect in their judgment. That's also how a dog sees you when you teach them using positive reinforcement, and why a dog is willing to follow.

Positive reinforcement makes a dog feel good about himself in the same way positive feedback gives us a good feeling. Treating him with respect earns his. Like us, dogs are social beings who enjoy the company of those who make them feel accepted and good. We have a positive image in our mind of people who have our respect, and that's how we want our dogs to see us. A dog's trust and respect goes hand-in-hand with positive reinforcement, and that's why it works.

Ruthie Bently’s article, Training Dogs with Kindness, relates a lesson she learned from her dog Nimber, and how she came to realize that respect and kindness will always get better results than bullying.

Photo by Beth Loft

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What Does a Veterinary Behaviorist Do?

By Linda Cole

Pets find themselves in animal shelters for a number of reasons, but too often, they're surrendered because of behavioral problems their owner couldn't or wouldn't deal with. Qualified veterinarians are applying their specialized knowledge in animal behavior and working with pet owners to help them solve bad behavior so a pet and his owner can stay together. Like an applied animal behaviorist, veterinary behaviorists are helping to solve behavioral problems and keeping pets out of shelters.

Dealing with a pet that has a behavioral problem is extremely frustrating for an owner who has no idea why their pet's behavior has suddenly changed. When a once quiet dog barks insistently for no apparent reason, it can drive a loving pet owner, and their neighbors, up the wall. However, the dog does have a good reason and to him, it isn't an unnatural behavior. A cat refusing to use her litter box may have a medical problem or is upset because of a change in the home. A veterinary behaviorist can step in to help a pet owner solve the mystery of why their dog is barking or why the cat isn't using her litter box.

The difference between an applied animal behaviorist and a veterinary behaviorist is education. Animal behaviorists are people who specialize in a particular field of study like wild animals or pets. They come to your home and observe a pet in their environment and watch how owner and pet interact with each other to help them make recommendations to correct behavioral problems. However, you need to make sure the applied animal behaviorist you call is someone with expertise in dealing with your pet's specific behavioral problem. Animal behaviorists need at least a B.S. or B.A. Degree.

Veterinary behaviorists are vets who have at least a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) and have spent a year as an intern. Upon graduating, they then go into a behavioral residency training program for two or three years. While in the program, they're required to do a research project and publish their findings. As a veterinary behaviorist, they are then able to help pet owners with behavioral problems.

The advantage of working with a veterinary behaviorist is that they can treat your pet's physical conditions along with behavioral problems. They can perform tests to find out if your pet's behavioral problem is due to a medical condition, and prescribe medication. If the bad behavior isn't due to an illness, then the veterinary behaviorist can work with the pet owner to determine if the behavior is from a lack of training, poor communication between pet and owner, or an owner who is unknowingly contributing to their pet's behavioral problem.

When dealing with a behavioral problem like barking, it's important to consider your dog's breed. Even mixed breeds will exhibit characteristics of one or more of the breeds in their makeup. For example, a Beagle barks and a mixed breed dog with some Beagle in him may also bark at everything he sees. Border Collies herd and Siberian Huskies love to run. Understanding who your dog is can help you determine if he has a behavioral problem. Sometimes, a dog just needs an owner who understands him and can provide him with proper training.

Pets don't do things to annoy us on purpose; there's always a reason why they do what they do. Most pet owners don't have the expertise to recognize and correct issues we consider to be bad behavior. As responsible pet owners, it's up to us to take an active role in helping our pets by educating ourselves on minor behavioral problems we can handle. More serious issues like any kind of aggression, are best dealt with by an expert. The next time your pet needs a check up, ask your vet if they are a veterinary behaviorist. Solving your pet's behavioral problem may be easier than you think.

Thanks to continued research into why pets act in certain ways, people who love animals and care for our pets can give us assistance in dealing with behavioral problems before they become unmanageable. If you have a pet that has any kind of behavioral problem, the solution is to find out what's bothering them and correct the problem with the help of a veterinary behaviorist, an applied animal behaviorist or a qualified trainer. A pet belongs in a loving home, not in an animal shelter. You picked out your pet for a reason, so give him the same unconditional love he gives you. Seek out the help you need to correct behavioral problems that can be eliminated with a proper diagnosis or dedicated training.

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How to Teach an Excited Dog to Calm Down

By Linda Cole

Some dogs can get so worked up when it's time for a walk or a romp in the backyard they nearly knock you over on the way to the door. Frenzied barking and jumping is the sign of a hyper, out-of-control dog who could become aggressive if they remain in that state of mind and meet another dog or person once outside. Calming them down before they go out is the best thing to do – but how do you teach a dog to stay calm? Read on.

An overly excited dog isn't focusing on you. If you are trying to get them outside and they are jumping, barking and running away from you, they are controlling the situation. Teach a dog to stay calm with basic commands and get him to focus on you.

Dog training is important for any dog, but an excitable dog needs to learn how to sit and stay. The next step is to teach a dog to focus only on you. My dog Keikei goes bonkers every time we get ready to go outside. She bounces and barks insistently. The louder I get trying to get her to stop barking, the louder she barks and I know I've lost control because she can out bark me. According to dog experts, ignoring her is supposed to help calm her down. Most of the time it works, but not when we're ready to go outside. Her state of mind is running on high octane. The only way to put on the brakes is to have her sit and stay before she can go through the door.

To teach a dog to calm down, have them sit right in front of you. It's easy for them to forget their training when they become hyper, but an agitated dog can become aggressive and hurt you or them. It's important for them to sit and stay until you release them. Stay calm, no matter what happens. You are setting an example for your dog to follow and he will feed off of you if you become as excited as he is. Teach your dog to focus on you and nothing else.

The best way to teach an excited dog to calm down is to begin training them to sit, stay and focus on you. Take a CANIDAE Snap-Biscuit® treat and hold it up so they can see it. If they get up, they don't get the treat. They are rewarded only when they sit, stay and look at you. Give your dog a command to focus on you and give them a treat when they make eye contact with you. After he's focusing on you every time and pays attention to what you are saying, then you won't need to make him sit and stay. Have him focus on you every time he becomes excited. This helps him redirect his mind away from what's causing him to overreact. You need to be able to control your dog's excitement and helping him learn to calm down takes away stress that only adds to his excited behavior.

Dogs can be like kids in a toy store at Christmas time. For some children, no matter how much you holler at them to come back, your voice falls on deaf ears once those little eyes see all the toys. Yelling at your dog won't calm him down and will only reinforce his behavior because he is getting your attention, even if it's negative attention. His level of excitement is more apt to increase. Training your dog to obey basic commands and learn  to focus on you puts you back in control. Dog training should be done on a daily basis and reinforced daily after they've learned a command.

When trying to teach a dog, don't worry about doing it overnight. Take your time and make it fun. Stay positive, calm, patient and consistent. Keikei has been a challenge to work with. She is a spirited soul with a mind of her own, but she is learning what I'm trying to teach. One of the best ways to teach a dog to stay calm is for you to remain calm. For most dogs, ignoring them will help subdue their level of excitement. For a more head strong dog, they may need to learn how to sit and stay until they can learn how to control their excitement.

Photo: "Ellie" by Keira Bishop

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Breaking Your Dog’s Bad Habits

By Suzanne Alicie

Dogs are supposed to be “Man’s Best Friend” but without proper training and consistency they can develop some bad habits. Each dog is different and may have a variety of bad habits which can make your life pretty stressful.

I am in awe of pet owners who always have mannerly, well behaved dogs. My dog is generally well behaved, but at times I have difficulty controlling her when we get ready to go outside. She jumps and barks and whines because she is so excited. I know why she does it, and it is my fault. I made the mistake of riling her up in the past just to watch her do this because I thought it was funny. Now she thinks that is what is expected when I say “Let’s go outside.” We are working to change this bad habit that I inadvertently taught her. Each dog has their own personality and that is reflected in both the behavior of the dog and the success of training methods. Some dogs require a different approach, but many dogs respond to basic consistent training.

If your dog has a problem with excessive barking, for example, you want to first figure out why he is barking so much. Dogs can bark because of being bored, frightened or just to hear their own voice. Once you understand why your dog is barking you can begin to work on how to stop it.

Some dogs have bad habits that can be dangerous to them and to their owners, such as chewing. Electrical cords, toxic items, etc. can cause serious problems for the dog and the dog owner. You can find solutions for how to deal with chewing problems in this article by Linda Cole.

Another dangerous bad habit that dogs may have involves running out when the door is open or dragging their hapless owner along on the leash as if they are taking their owner for a walk instead of the other way around. While it is easy to say that you are a human and can control your dog, it is more important to earn your dog’s trust and respect by practicing consistent training.

If your dog lunges out the door at top speed you must simply stand your ground and wait for him to realize that you won’t be walking anywhere until he comes to your side. This can be repeated throughout your outing anytime your dog pulls or strains at the leash; just stop walking and wait for him to come back to you before continuing to walk with him. By insisting that this is the way the walk will progress, you are enforcing the rules in your dog’s mind. He learns that this is what is expected of him in order to be able to go outside and walk. Be prepared to spend a lot of time standing on the sidewalk feeling foolish, because it takes time for your dog to learn this.

Breaking a dog’s bad habits is not something that happens overnight. It takes time, patience and consistency. You’ll notice the word consistent is used throughout this article.  That’s because the best thing you can do for your dog to ensure good behavior is to always be consistent. If you allow him to do what he wants half the time because you don’t feel like working at his training, he will not learn the rules and will continue to be strong willed and determined to continue his bad habits.

Dogs are intelligent, and can be taught to be well mannered and well behaved. Part of being a responsible pet owner is taking the time to work with your dog and help him not only fit into your family but to be safe and a pleasure to have around.

There are no bad dogs; dogs are a product of their environment, and can be redeemed from their bad habits and behaviors with love and understanding. A stern yet calm voice, repeated commands, some CANIDAE Snap-Biscuit® treats and consistent training can usually break a dog of their bad habits. If you feel unable to handle this task yourself, consider visiting a dog training class or consulting with your vet about how to get your dog in control.

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How to Teach Your Dog Proper Leash Etiquette

By Linda Cole

Walking a dog is necessary to provide them with proper exercise and give them access to new stimulation they can't get locked up in the house all day. Many times, though, owners find that their dog is so excited and eager to see what's around the next corner, he ends up dragging them down the street. It's not difficult to teach your dog proper leash etiquette, but it does require practice and time.

As with any dog training session, pay attention to your dog and stop when he is tired. Make it fun and he'll be eager for the next lesson, especially if you have lots of CANIDAE Snap-Bits™ dog treats on hand for a reward. Stay calm, consistent and patient, and you can teach your dog to walk beside you on a loose leash. Walking a dog should not leave you feeling like you need a trip to the emergency room once you get back home.

When you allow your dog to rush forward on his leash, you're teaching him it's okay to pull you down the street. But this also creates a dog who can be more aggressive when he's on a leash. The tight leash puts tension on his neck, and he's not in a relaxed state of mind. The result is a dog who barks at other dogs and people, or a dog who rushes up to people or dogs in his path. Walking a dog on a loose leash keeps the dog calmer, and he learns to control his excitement.

Begin by practicing with your dog inside your home where you can control distractions. Put the leash on your dog and walk around the house with him by your side. When you're ready to move outside, grab the treats and head out to the sidewalk in front of your house. You need to teach your dog how you want him to behave before going on a regular walk.

Practice by walking back and forth in front of your house. When your dog tries to move forward, call him back and drop a treat at the back of your heel. You want to teach your dog that's where he'll find his favorite treat. As you walk, drop a treat behind your heel each time he moves ahead of you. You’re teaching him that when he stays next to you, good things can happen. Positive reinforcement and treats – what more could a dog ask for?

Another trick you can use to teach your dog not to pull on his leash is each time he moves forward, when the leash becomes tense, stop walking. Call him back to you and take a couple of steps back to get him into a walking position at your side or a little behind you. Place a treat at the back of your heel when he comes to your side. Stop each time he tries to pull ahead, step back when he returns to you and reward him every time he comes back. When he stops rushing ahead and is constantly walking by your side, you can eliminate the treats if you want.

When practicing in front of your house, change directions suddenly to keep your dog on his toes. He will learn to watch what you're doing instead of looking around for something or someone to bark at. Your dog learns it's in his best interest to pay attention to where you are going and what you are doing. By suddenly changing direction, he no longer knows which way is forward and is more intent on following you.

Once your dog learns how to walk on a loose leash, you can drop the leash and your dog should continue walking beside you, because that's where good things happen. He'll be more interested in walking with you instead of pulling you down the street. This is also a good opportunity to teach your dog to sit whenever you stop walking to help keep him in a relaxed state of mind if you stop to talk to someone and when you stop at a street crossing.

Walking a dog should be relaxing for both of you. If your dog drags you down the street, don't expect overnight success when you start to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash. It can take several training sessions before you're ready to go for a walk, so keep trying. It's much easier to enjoy an afternoon walk when you don't have to worry about fighting your dog every step of the way.

Did you know that cats can also be trained to walk on a leash? It’s true! Julia Williams has a great article on the subject, which you can read here.

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How to Desensitize a Scared Dog

By Linda Cole

Dogs can show a fear of storms, fireworks or loud voices. Their fear can be mild to severe and when a storm is on the horizon, your dog may disappear or hunker down until the storm has passed. Fear of storms or loud noise adds stress to their life and yours. Sometimes it's hard to understand dog behavior, but once we do, we can set up a program to desensitize a scared dog and teach him there's nothing to fear from thunder or loud noises.

Fear of loud noises is only one type of fear dogs can show. Some become anxious around strangers or other dogs. I had a dog who didn't like to be around men. Some dogs are scared of objects like vacuum cleaners or grooming combs, and some dogs don't want their paws touched for any reason. Since dogs can't tell us why something scared them, the only thing we can do is pay attention to our dogs during stressful times to figure out what is scaring them. Desensitization is one way to help change a dog's behavior and help him get rid of his fear.

The last thing you should do when your dog is scared is tell him everything is alright, because you're telling him it's okay to be fearful. By ignoring his reaction to thunder or loud noises, he sees you remaining calm and nothing bad happened to you, so it must be okay.

When you desensitize a dog, you're setting him up to succeed and rewarding him using positive reinforcement when he's not showing any fear. To help a scared dog get over his fear of thunder or loud noises, you need to introduce him to low levels of sound using a recording of a thunderstorm or fireworks. Reward him throughout the process only when he stays calm. Gradually increase the sound to a level he will accept before moving on to the next level. Once he learns nothing bad is happening to him and he gets a treat when he stays calm, his fear will begin to diminish and he will begin to accept the noise as normal sounds.

Anytime throughout the desensitizing process when your dog reacts in a negative way, that tells you things are moving too fast. You will need to go back and repeat the exercise until your dog is completely comfortable listening to the sound that scares him. Have him focus on you by giving him simple commands like sit, lay down, etc. while playing the tape. Play games with him, read a book to him, groom him and talk quietly as you stroke his coat with a comb. Dogs react to pleasurable stimulus and when his mind is in a relaxed state and he sees you staying calm, those scary noises suddenly aren't so bad. When he stays calm, always reward him with praise and a treat, like CANIDAE Snap-Bits™. If he becomes scared while you're talking to him, playing with him or grooming him, stop what you're doing until he calms down. Only reward the behavior you want your dog to learn.

Moving too fast can have a negative result that could allow the dog to become even more fearful. Let your patience control your every move when you're trying to change dog behavior by desensitizing him. It can be a long process that can take months to help him get over his fear of loud noises.

If you have a dog who displays aggression when he's scared, enlisting the help of an animal behaviorist is recommended. Aggression, especially if it's severe, can be dangerous for you and for your dog. Sometimes it's best to let a professional handle an aggressive dog issue. Ruthie Bently has a great article on “Medical and Behavioral Causes for Canine Aggression.”

Dogs will instinctively do one of three things when they're scared. They will run, freeze or fight. When working with a dog to desensitize him, it's important to take things slow and easy. Make sure he can succeed with each step you take and reward him every time. Positive reinforcement is a powerful training tool that can help a dog overcome his fear. There is no set time limit on when you're done desensitizing your dog. It all depends on his level of fear and how long he's been afraid.

Desensitization can also work for other dog behavior issues, such as being afraid of other dogs or people, dogs who don't like their paws touched or those with grooming issues. Fear can cause a dog to become aggressive, and an aggressive dog is apt to bite. So take things nice and slow, stay patient and calm to help your dog learn there's nothing to fear from loud noises.

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Humor: How to Make Your Cat Do What You Want

By Tamara L. Waters

If you have a cat, you already know that making it do anything is next to impossible. Can it be done though? Let's find out. Here are a few tips on just that— try them if you dare!

Exert Your Authority

One of the first steps in making your cat do what you want it to do is to exert your authority. Make sure your cat knows you are the boss. You must make this clear from the very beginning and never allow your kitty to forget that you are in charge.

Remember, most cats don't go along with this step willingly. They will allow you to think you are in charge, but the reality is that you really aren't. Your cat will go along with this fantasy as the mood suits him or her in an effort to raise your self-esteem. Rest assured though, when kitty allows you think you're in charge, you will feel like the king of the world!

Train Your Kitty

After you’ve made it clear to your cat that you are head honcho, you will need to train them. Training involves teaching your cat and making sure your authority is not challenged and that your cat respects you.

You can train your cat using treats, affection and a stern voice. If you tell your kitty enough times to stay off of the kitchen counters or the table, eventually they will understand and obey in an effort to please you and win your approval.

As part of kitty training, you will need to make sure your cat understands what other parts of your home are off limits. If you do not want your cat on the furniture, train her to stay away. Use a cat bed to train her to only sleep in that particular spot. This will help cut down on excessive cat hair and other messes your cat can make.

In addition, you will need to make sure kitty knows and understands what toys he is allowed to play with. Choose proper toys for your cat, and only allow him to play with the designated kitty toys. He is sure to love any choices you make simply because you – his loving owner — picked them out.

Expect Obedience

You should expect obedience from your cat. Do not allow him to show you disdain or disobedience. Your cat will appreciate the structure of your behavioral expectations. Do not back down and even if your cat ignores you, know that he will eventually thank you for staying strong and continuing to challenge him.

Discipline Your Kitty

If your cat disobeys and is stubborn about training and doing what you want it to do, you can offer discipline through removing favorite playthings. Your cat will immediately see the error of his ways and work to get back on your good side to earn his toys back. Every cat strives to be in his owner's good graces and affections.

Finally...

Ignore all of the above advice – it is a work of fiction. Your cat will do whatever the heck he wants to do, and there isn’t a darn thing you can do about it. As a matter of fact, your cat will do what he wants and will continue to prove to you daily that you will accept this behavior. After all, you are really the one who has been trained. Get used to it!

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What Does an Animal Behaviorist Do?

By Linda Cole

Trying to train a dog that has behavior issues can be frustrating. For some owners, a qualified trainer can help dogs work through minor issues they may have. But serious behavioral problems need a professional eye to help a dog or cat owner deal with specific issues. What does an animal behaviorist do, and how do they help your pet? When you need to consult with an expert, what can you expect from them?

Animal behaviorists are people who love animals and study them to learn and understand animal behavior – why they do things and act in certain ways. They look at the animal's environment and try to find what caused the behavior. One mistaken belief some pet owners have is that a good dog trainer is also an animal behaviorist and vice versa. That may be true for some trainers and animal behaviorists, but not usually.

Animal behaviorists typically have a specialized field of study in specific animals like birds, livestock, fish, reptiles, wild animals, or pets. It's common to find a behaviorist whose expertise is in certain kinds of behavior, e.g., how animals mate, how they raise their young, how they defend themselves and their food and how they hunt. When you need to consult with an expert for a dog or cat with behavior issues, you need to make sure the person works with household pets and has experience in the area your pet needs help with.

When pets develop problems we don't know how to address, an Applied Animal Behaviorist is the person who will step in and look at the environment the pet is living in. They look for reasons why a dog or cat is acting out. It could be a fear of thunderstorms or another pet that's making them feel uncomfortable. It could be a medical problem that's gone undetected or a stray pet who developed problems before he got to his new home. Behavior problems could also be associated with a specific dog breed that isn't right for a home. Even hormones can play a role in behavior problems that an untrained eye can't see. Problems can also arise from a dog who’s had inconsistent training or no training, and who may be confused with what his owner expects from him. Hard choices may need to be made for the welfare of the pet, and an animal behaviorist can make recommendations and suggestions a responsible pet owner may not have considered.

An animal behaviorist will visit a pet owner's home to observe how the pet and his family interact with each other. They aren't concerned with dog training, because many times the root cause of a behavior problem has nothing to do with training. After observing the human-pet relationship, they help the pet owner with changes in the pet's environment, which may include the humans, to improve the pet's behavior. They will work with veterinarians as well, if medication is needed for a medical condition.

Animal behaviorists do their job because they love animals. They have at least a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) or B.S. (Bachelor of Science) degree, although most careers in animal behavior require advanced degrees. These are people who are experts in their field of study and capable in helping you and your pet regain a healthy relationship.

When working with any animal behaviorist, it's important to feel completely comfortable with them. If they recommend harsh treatments you don't agree with, it's up to you to speak up and find another solution to address a pet's issues, or find another behaviorist that uses techniques you’re comfortable with. To get the best results, it's also important to make sure the person has experience and knowledge in working with your specific behavioral issues.

Some dog trainers have gone through a certified program as a dog trainer and receive certification as a Certified Pet Dog Trainer. They may be able to help with minor problems, but most will refer a pet owner on to someone more qualified for major behavioral problems.

Animal shelters are full of dogs and cats whose only crime was an owner who didn't take the time to find out how they could help their pet. Today, many shelters work with animal behaviorists to help them with problem pets who have been surrendered to them by frustrated owners. This increases the chance that these dogs and cats can find a new home.

If your pet has a behavioral problem, always start with your vet to rule out any medical concerns first. They can then recommend a qualified animal behaviorist in your area who can help with non medical problems.

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