Pet Training

A few owners might like to see their pets jump through hoops, but everyone should have an adequate level of discipline with their pets. Dogs are more likely to be trained than cats, but the basic "come" and "stay" commands would also benefit cat (and other pet) owners.

Most puppies are paper trained when owners obtain them, but many owners elect to give some adult dogs, and many puppies, obedience schooling and other training. If you choose not to do that, there are many videos and books to help you train a pet yourself. Most training can be done at home. The most important tips for at home training are:

• Be patient and positive with your pet.
• Don't hit or criticize your pet. Use their name and give them a treat so that they won't associate following commands with unpleasantness.
• Say the name of the command ("sit") while gently putting them into that position.
• Say your pet's name when asking them to do something ("sit please Rover"), and use a different word ("O.K.," "done," etc.) to release them from the action.
• When teaching your pet a command, only add one distraction (distance, noise, etc.) at a time.
• Train often and in small lengths of time that your pet can handle.

Stay Gently place or command your pet into a relaxed position (sitting, laying, etc.) while saying their name and "stay". Stay with them and release them after a short time, giving them some kind of positive reinforcement. Continue the exercise adding time, or distance from you, each time.

The following are some other good sites to get information and tips on training:

• Dr. P's Dog Training
• Dog Training, Dog Problems, Dog Obedience, and Dog Behavior.

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