Passive learning is inherently how dogs learn, 24/7. Understanding how to implement passive dog training effectively will open new doorways of communication for you and your dog. Passive dog training is wonderful for dogs with all sorts of personalities, especially for dogs who are fearful or traumatized, including aggressive and reactive dogs, and for [...]
Interview highlights from a conversation between Alana Stevenson, MS, cat behaviorist, and Dr. Sally Foote, DVM — discussing the importance of humane feline handling and low-stress veterinary care. Alana: What do you think stands out the most about the Feline Fundamentals webinars? Dr. Foote: I really appreciate the photos and step-by-step guidance. The webinars [...]
At times, I do use the clicker and have taught with it. This is how I started. Initially, in 2003, my human students learned how to use the clicker to teach their dogs and the dogs learned how to respond to it. In my FAQs, there is a brief reason for why I don’t [...]
Should you make your dog sit before giving anything such as affection, dinner, treats, opening doors, or putting on and taking off leashes? This is often part of a "no free lunch" training strategy. I’m not a big fan of "Sit," nor do I use it often—mostly, because dogs already know how to sit [...]
I fully support rescue and adoption. There are too many cats and dogs in need of homes. However, you may want to rethink the reason for getting another cat. Many people who have two cats, after one of their cats passes away, adopt another cat because they feel their remaining cat is lonely. This [...]
Christmas is around the corner and the New Year is quickly approaching. You might be thinking about some New Year’s resolutions to start off 2019. Here are a few tips and ideas to make your cat happier. Of course, your cats will be happy if you start implementing some of these New Year’s resolutions [...]
Christmas is around the corner and the New Year is approaching. You might be thinking about some New Year’s resolutions to start off 2019. Here are a few ideas for making your dog happier. Start passive training. Reward your dog for behaviors you like — without giving a command. Passive training is happening all [...]
Many of us scruff cats, having learned that this is how mother cats carry their kittens, or it's what we’ve observed others do—at the groomer, vet, shelter, and even at home. Fortunately, there are other ways to pick up and handle cats. Scruffing can exacerbate behavioral issues and make handling more difficult—and even harmful—over [...]
Many cats develop arthritis, especially after age twelve. Animals can't tell us when they feel pain, so we have to watch subtleties in their behavior and body language. Older cats often hesitate before jumping down from surfaces. Although cats can climb, jump, and leap onto higher surfaces, most prefer walking up and down using [...]
These are essentials to have before getting a puppy. Toy Bin A toy bin is a must. It should be large, wide, and shallow, and your puppy should have access to all the toys. Include plush toys, rotate them, and keep them varied. The toy bin should be a “centerpiece” or placed in a [...]