Pets Need Training to Bring Out Their Best

There’s no denying it: We adore our pets and their through-the-roof cuteness. So much so that we may at times write off their semi-mischievous habits as endearing or funny personality quirks.

But what do you do when things like clawing furniture, begging for food, jumping or destructive chewing get out of hand? The answer is simple—it’s time for you to work with your pet on proper behavior and obedience.

Training your pet is important for several reasons. Firstly, it’s a key component of responsible pet ownership. You want your pet to have the best possible start in their life with you—this means giving them clear behavior boundaries. Our pets aren’t born knowing what we expect of them. Training your pet serves as an effective method of communication from you to your pet about what is acceptable, and what simply is not.

Moreover, taking the time to work with your pet will not only strengthen your bond together, it will also make for a well-behaved furry companion. Well-mannered pets are not just a benefit to you, but houseguests, the public and other animals as well.

Pets love feeling like they have a job to do. Training is great because it gives our pets structure and a sense of purpose. This can keep them from getting bored, which can lead to destructive behavior or anxiety. In addition to basic commands like sitting and staying, incorporate other fun tricks for your pet to perform, such as rolling over or shaking hands.

Training can begin anytime, it doesn’t have to start with puppies or kittens. Animals of all ages are intelligent creatures that have the ability to learn quickly, especially when affection or a tasty treat is the reward! The key is being consistent with your pet while remaining patient and compassionate.

Here are some training tips for those looking to improve their pet’s behavior:

• Positive reinforcement: This effective training tool revolves around offering your pet praise or affection immediately after they behave correctly. It’s important for pets to recognize the positive association between a correct behavior and praise, so be sure to offer it immediately. Pets are extremely responsive to this kind of reward system, because making you happy is a big priority for them!

• Never resort to hitting: Not only is this inhumane, but it could potentially put you and your pet in danger. Animals perceive violence from humans as a physical threat—they could potentially respond in self-defense. When your pet isn’t performing the behavior you’d like to see, remain patient and show your pet what the correct behavior should be.

For example, if you catch your cat clawing the side of the couch. Bring the scratch post over to her, encourage her to use it and praise her when she does. Turning away is another good tool for correcting unwanted physical behaviors, such as dogs jumping up to greet you. When your dog does this, turn your back until all four paws are back on the floor, then greet them back. By briefly withholding your attention, it will communicate that jumping is an unwanted behavior and won’t get them the attention they’re craving.

• Treats: Most pets are motivated by the promise of a tasty treat. Thus, using treats to reward good behavior will get your message across loud and clear. Be sure to alternate affection, praise and treats as rewards. Also, treats don’t need to be very large in size. Although your pet would probably disagree, you don’t need to give them a handful of treats to reward a correct behavior. A small treat should do the trick.

• Professional training: If you are having difficulty training your pet or perhaps just want to leave the work to the professionals, obedience classes are a good option. But remember: Training your pet is a continual process, it doesn’t end once the class is over. So while enlisting the help of a specialist will be beneficial to your pet, it’s very important that you continue working with your furry family member after the classes are over to help them retain what they learn.

If you’re interested in professional pet training, look into the education programs offered at your local humane society or animal shelter. Oftentimes they will offer obedience classes or partner with a local organization that specializes in pet training.

Love alone isn’t enough to create a well-behaved pet. Sadly, many pets are relinquished each year because of behavioral problems that could easily be addressed with proper training. As a responsible pet owner, it’s essential to take the time to work with your pet on their behavior so that they can be the very best companion they can be.

Making sure your pet knows what you expect from them and is aware of their boundaries is an important step in a healthy, happy relationship together.