Training Tips

If you’ve got a cat that chews, here are 7 simple

 steps to addressing the problem!

Cat Bed

  1. Check to see if there is a reason why your cat chews:
    • Sometimes cats chew because of a vitamin deficiency. Feed a good quality cat food or check with your vet for supplements.
    • Check with your vet for any other possible problems, such as fleas or an unhealed wound. This is especially important if your cat is gnawing at itself all the time.
  2. Check your cat’s dental health. If the cat is growing new teeth or has a toothache or aching gums, it may chew to relieve the pain. Have the cat treated accordingly by your vet.
  3. Stop the chewing. Feed a supplement if needed and follow any instructions a vet has given you. Otherwise, if your cat is given a clean bill of health, it may be necessary to find other ways to deter the chewing. You could try:
    • Bitter apple spray – this is one of the best deterrents that is made for dogs/cats. Most dogs/cats will not chew on something sprayed with it.
    • Cayenne pepper and water solution. Spray this onto the object being chewed and the cat will leave it alone because it is hot.
    • Orange oil. Make a solution of 1 part orange oil, 3 parts water and spray this on the object.
    • Other disliked flavors. You know your own cat; choose flavors that your cat finds distasteful and coat the object with these.
  4. Cover what the cat is chewing on (phone or computer cords). You can buy cord protecters (like a long tube).
  5. Move the object. Another great way to stop the chewing is to remove the object altogether for a time. Return it when the cat appears more settled. If the cat takes to chewing something else as a substitute, use a different deterrent such as the repellent odor.
  6. Distract your cat. Place cat-friendly plants in pots or in the garden to distract your cat to something more pleasurable. Plants to choose include lemongrass, catnip, catmint etc. Hopefully, the cat will take to chewing on these instead of the object if it takes a liking to the plant. Make sure to introduce the cat to the plant!
  7. Find an alternative chewing buddy. Substitute the object with something else, such as an old bath towel or mat, a scratching board, toys, yarn etc. Something it can either sink its teeth and claws into that will amuse it endlessly.

 Source

Did You Know???

Cats LOVE our Classic SleepEzz!

Pile of Classic SleepEzz

June 23, 2008. Tags: , , , , , , , , . Training. 1 comment.

Training Tips

Jean Donaldson’s Top 10 Dog Training Tips

Jean Donaldson, author of The Culture Clash and Dogs Are From Neptune, directs The San Francisco SPCA’s Academy for Dog Trainers. She offers these tips for training your Pup.

  • Expect your dog to act like a dog. Don’t take it personally when he exhibits typical canine behavior. He’s not being “bad,” he’s just being a dog.
  • No more free lunch. “Dogs are happiest when they’re exercising their predator skills,” she says. “Make them work for their food, like stuffing it inside chew toys, hiding it around the house, or teaching them tricks for food rewards.”
  • Start off “tight” and slack off later, rather than letting him run wild for the first few weeks and then clamping down when the behavior isn’t so cute anymore.
  • Don’t wait for him to develop bad habits, like chewing the furniture or urinating on the carpet, before you intervene. Assume this behavior is likely to happen, and act preemptively to manage it before it develops.
  • Supply your dog with acceptable outlets for his doggy behavior, rather than punishing it.
  • Don’t lay guilt trips on your dog. “Dogs are neither moral nor immoral,” she says. “They’re amoral, meaning that they respond to what they understand to be the consequences of their behavior. So manipulate those consequences.”
  • Get involved in organized dog sports or informal activities, such as agility, Flyball racing, tug-of-war, fetch, or a fun game of hide-and-seek.
  • Provide a wide variety of social interactions every day. “What’s the worst punishment a person can get in prison?” says Donaldson. “Solitary confinement. Dogs are social animals, too.”
  • If you have a puppy, handle him endlessly. And make it as pleasant an experience as possible, so he’ll associate being handled with good feelings.
  • Enroll in a good training course. The San Francisco SPCA Behavior & Training Department offers courses at every level, at reasonable prices. There are many other reputable trainers in the Bay Area as well.Source

    • April 21, 2008. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , . Training. Leave a comment.