Pet Behavior
As difficult as it may be to accept, the biggest problem with our pets is probably us!!! Yes, that's right, US!!
Why? Because we simply do not understand our pets well enough, and unfortunately, we end up re-inforcing unwanted behaviors or making the behaviors worse or ending up with different unwanted behaviors.
Also, behaviorist are still learning about dogs and cats - no one has them completely figured out - so over time ideas and methods change but pet owners don't always keep up with the latest research. So...we end up with problems that are too often of our own making.
Just owning a pet for a long time doesn't make any of us a pet expert. A lot of people that love their pets really know very little about them nor how to train them.
Studies have shown that most pets end up in shelters for behaviors that probably could be corrected with the proper training of both pet and pet owner. Probably every pet owner (including animal care professionals and trainers) has at one time or another become very frustrated with the behavior of their pet just as loving and caring parents have become frustrated at times with their human kids.
We hope that you take the time to educate or re-educate yourself on the furry friend that shares your home. Both you and your pet will be happier in the life you share together - and hopefully, you won't ever have to make the decision to surrender your pet to a shelter.
If you have access to the internet, you will find through this website enough free education to become a "pro" at caring for and training your pet.
For your information, we link you to the position of the AAHA and the AVSAB below and also give you the ASPA position on these matters.
Although Cesar Millan and others using what they term "punishment-based dog training" methods have received a great deal of media coverage and recognition, those methods are not supported by many who have done a great deal of academic animal behavior research {reference the American Animal Hospital Association link below.})
We are not trained animal behaviorist but we do want pet owners to realize that there are different thoughts on animal training and behavior so we have presented some different positions here.
We encourage pet owners to try all positive means of reinforcement training before resorting to any other training methods and also recommend consulting with your veterinarian to rule out any medical problems.
ASPA position on training: "The ASPCA supports humane training methods that are based on an understanding of how animals learn and incorporate kindness and respect for both the pet and the guardian. Humane training methods do not inflict unnecessary distress or discomfort on the pet."
Top 10 Behavior Tips from the ASPCA (Excessive Barking, Elimination Outside the Litter Box, Destructive Chewing, Play Agression, Puppy Mouthing and Nipping, Scratching, Jumping Up, Urine Spraying, Urine Marking, Nocturnal Activity.)