Training
January 2, 2012
Safely Turn Your Indoor Cat into An Outdoor Cat -- Train Your Cat to Walk on a Leash
Ever wish your indoor cat could be an outdoor cat and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells while staying safe? According to Training a Cat to Walk on a Leash | NYTimes.com, more and more animal behaviorists, such as trainer Jackson Galaxy quoted below, are convinced that training and walking cats is not only possible, but good for the cat.
First equip yourself with a cat leash, such as this Come with me Kitty Harness
to obtain gentle and comfortable control of your cat or kitten for your outdoor excursions. Next, follow these tips from Jackson Galaxy for training your cat on a leash:
1. Know your cat. If it doesn't mind being handled, is pretty confident and not easily spooked, it's probably a good candidate for leash training.
2. Get the right gear. It is not safe to walk cats on a traditional collars; if they escape up a tree, a breakaway collar will detach, while a standard collar can strangle them.
3. Hungry is good. Many cats respond to food treats, so start with a hungry cat. Cut treats into tiny pieces, because when a cat gets full, it will stop working. Only give the cat treats when you're doing the training, and limit the overall amount.
4. Start small. In the first session, place the harness on the cat with confidence, and fit it snugly but not tightly. The moment you've finished putting it on, give your cat a treat.
5. Set goals. Push the cat a little farther each day, by breaking up leash walking into small steps. When it walks around each new area with its tail up, it's ready for the next step.
6. Expect some setbacks. If the cat is afraid of something, try to redirect its attention to another area. If the cat completely freaks out, retreat to the previous area you were walking until it is confident again. Try not to pick up the cat, which erases its confidence.
7. Be careful if your neighborhood has lots of off-leash dogs; consider taking the cat to an area that's more protected.
Come with me Kitty Harness is available in many colors:
October 20, 2011
Use Natural Balance Dog Food Rolls for Training Treats
A well-trained dog is a pleasure to be around. Many, if not most, dogs want to please their human companions and will respond to positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Just break off a bit of a Natural Balance Dog Food Roll
at a time to reward your pet's good behavior.
These made-in-the-USA pet food rolls provide high quality nutrition and do good things for your dog's skin and coat condition. When you need to administer medication, hide the pills in a chunk, and your dog won't suspect a thing. The rolls come in different flavors (beef, turkey, duck, lamb) and are super convenient at home or on the road.
August 2, 2011
Mountainsmith Dog Pack 2011
Does your dog yank on the leash, no matter how many dog training techniques you try? Dog owners report that some dogs calm right down when you fit them with a backpack.
This streamlined 2011 Mountainsmith Dog Pack
will keep everything stowed for extended trip to town or an all-day outing. The Dog Pack has a D-ring attachment point for your leash and 3M reflective trim for year-round visibility. In three sizes for Small, Medium and Large dogs.
June 28, 2011
Amazon Hot New Pet Book Release: Love Has No Age Limit by Dog Trainer Patricia B. McConnell
We remember vividly driving down the highway back to headquarters the morning we adopted our two puffball 10-week old clone twin girl puppies. We were so excited, and so nervous. On one hand, we love sharing our life with our doggies, but then at the same time we also wondered what have we done? Are we up to the task?
Our favorite dog trainer Patricia B. McConnell Ph.D. and Karen B. London Ph.D. tackle these ambivalent feelings of anticipation and "buyer's remorse" upon adopting a dog of any age in their just-released puppy handbook Love Has No Age Limit-Welcoming an Adopted Dog into Your Home
. As the authors point out, this is a new dog, and neither of you know each other. The book guides you through the transition, with advice on surviving the chaotic first few days, training techniques as well as solving and avoiding common behavior problems.
To visit the author's blog, click The Other End of the Leash.
March 11, 2011
Pet Trainer Victoria Stilwell of It's Me or the Dog Fame to be Honored at Global Pet Expo 2011
You may be familiar with famed animal trainer Victoria Stilwell, the star of Animal Planet's hit TV series It's Me or the Dog which airs in more than 40 countries. If you haven't seen her shows yet, check them out. She is a passionate advocate for positive reinforcement training methods and teaches both owners and dogs through positive association and confidence building techniques.
American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) have announced that Victoria Stilwell will receive the 2011 Global Pet Expo's annual "Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award". Victoria Stilwell will personally accept the award Thursday, March 17, 2011 in Orlando, Florida at the Global Pet Expo, the pet industry's largest annual tradeshow, taking place March 16-18, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center.
In addition to her work on It's Me or the Dog, Victoria Stilwell is the author of the best-selling book It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet
.
January 24, 2011
PetScoop: GPS Backpack Remotely Controls Dogs
Researchers at Auburn University's Canine Detection Research Institute have created an external, real-time navigation system to guide detection dogs remotely. This new "backpack" is equipped with GPS, sensors, a processor and a radio modem, and directs the dog with vibration and tone. The system should enable these specially trained 'super dogs' to take on risky tasks such as security, combat operations, and support for the disabled.
Discovery via DVICE
January 18, 2011
Super Smart -- Chaser the Border Collie Knows Over a Thousand Words
Many dog lovers wonder whether dogs actually understand our words or simply the body language and tone of voice that accompanies them.
John W. Pilley, a psychologist who lives in Spartanburg, SC decided to put his dog's language skills to the test. He has taught his border collie Chaser 1,022 words, the largest vocabulary of any known dog. Dr Piley describes his experiments with Chaser in the current issue of the journal Behavioural Processes (see abstract after the jump).
The New York Times article on Chaser points out that border collies are bred for their ability to pay close attention to the shepherd. "Watch a collie work with a sheepherder [sic] and you will come away amazed how small a gesture the person can do to communicate with his dog," said Alexandra Horowitz, a dog behavior expert at Barnard College and author of Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know
.
Chaser's words skills may have some bearing on how children acquire language, although that is a matter for scientific debate. In any event, Dr. Pilley's goal is to develop methods that will help increase communication between people and dogs. Chaser is scheduled to star in a PBS Nova episode on animal intelligence airing February 9.
Continue reading: "Super Smart -- Chaser the Border Collie Knows Over a Thousand Words"
January 10, 2011
Training Your Pet -- Tips, Books and TV Shows
Training a pet can conjure up overwhelming feelings of a lot of work--frustrating, time-consuming and tedious. But in fact every move we make, we are training our pets, children, relatives, associates. Training is a natural, on-going process. And apparently a lot of people enjoy it. As our favorite dog trainer Patricia McConnell aptly describes it:
... at least, if you define "training" the way I do. I'm talking about teaching a pup to associate coming when called to feeling happy happy happy, to learn it's fun to be with you, that what you say has meaning and that there are ways to behave that makes life so very, very nice.
Patricia McConnell is the author of many books, one of which has recently been updated, The Puppy Primer
. If you have a new family member who walks on all fours and barks, this book comes highly recommended. And if, unlike us, you have the patience for formal training rather than providing only benevolent guidance, you can find a 6-week program in Family Friendly Dog Training: A Six Week Program for You and Your Dog
.
Speaking of training, Animal Planet's reality show It's Me or the Dog, featuring dog expert and trainer Victoria Stilwell, began its third season Saturday, January 8, at 8 pm EST. We have set our DVR to record the series.
And, if you are lucky enough to have a new puppy, your local PETCO
is offering FREE 30-minute potty training seminars on the weekends in January -- click the link for details.
December 6, 2010
Pet Training Bells Holiday Gift Pack
Poochie Bells hang from your doorknob, and with them you train your dog or puppy to tell you when it's time to go out. Pet training bells are recommended by professional trainers, with a 95% success rate.
This Puppy Training Bells Holiday Gift Pack
adds some festivity to the function. When the holidays are over, you can swap out the festive grosgrain ribbon for its off-season counterpart for year-round use.
Receive 20% off + FREE Shipping
-- no minimum order. Use code EFD2626.
For holiday gift ideas, browse our Super Cool Pets 2010 Holiday Gift Guide!
October 24, 2010
Dogs Notice Our Every Move -- Tell Me Who's Watching by Lisa Hartman
Have you ever noticed that your dogs are always watching you? They notice details many humans overlook -- small things mean a lot. They know your routine and when you change your behavior. An engrossing article by trainer Lisa Hartman on dogs' obsession with their humans, Tell Me Who's Watching, will strike a chord with all of us who live with dogs.
"Every breath you take, every move you make, I'll be watching you." While this line from a popular song written by Sting was about obsessive love, the lyrics could equally be applied to your dog. Did you know you are training your dog even when you are not trying to train him? Every move you make sends a message to your dog and unofficially trains him to behave a certain way.
Lisa Hartman is a well known and respected New York and Miami dog trainer and author of DIAL A DYNAMITE DOG
, a dog training book that "cuts to the chase" and speaks to the pet owner in "plain english".
August 16, 2010
August 2, 2010
Reliabowl -- Feed and Water Your Pet When Traveling
This durable Reliabowl allows you to bring more than a gallon of easily accessible water along in the car, the RV, the boat with no spills, no waste and no messy caps or bottles. Plus, the container does double-duty with an elevated food bowl carved in the top.
To use the Reliabowl, just tip the unit onto its side and the bowl automatically fills as your dog drinks. To store, tip the unit back. The water flows into the storage area, eliminating the chance of spills.
May 21, 2010
PetScoop -- Southern Golden Retriever Display Team CRUFTS 2010
If you love dogs, particularly Goldens, treat yourself to this video of the Southern Golden Retriever Display Team CRUFTS 2010. This video is 8 minutes--even the first couple are worth it--but the entire thing is impressive and adorable.
Make sure your volume is adjusted down at first--it was loud.
Super cool find via Pet Connection.
April 27, 2010
Portable Wireless Electronic Pet Containment System
Create a temporary yard enclosure for your pet without burying wires. The portable Wireless Pet Containment System
from PetSafe will enclose your pet in an adjustable circular area of up to a 1/2 acre, around 180 feet in diameter. When your pet strays into the warning zone, the receiver delivers a safe and mild static correction.
Full set-up typically takes less than an hour, and no installation, no wire burying, and no stakes are required. This system is ideal for portable installations or people who relocate frequently. Perfect for summer rentals, visiting family and friends. For dogs over 8 pounds.
At Amazon and Orvis.
is one tough nut to crack. It combines two activities doggies love best--eating and chasing after something that moves. The colorful Acorn contains a treats compartment for fun and effective training. 
, Vibram K9. They support Dog Tags: "Service Dogs for Those Who've Served Us" and have donated, along with their retail partners, $72,000 to the Puppies Behind Bars program that provides inmate-trained service dogs to injured United States veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. They continue to donate $2 from the sale of each Chewy Shoe in red, white and blue. 
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