Oh, Behave
B&Tea — Our Training Blog
Dipping your toe in the water or already deeply immersed? If you can’t get enough, check out the Behavior & Training blog for fun stories on training triumphs and foibles, cat and dog foster challenges and happy endings along with general musings on living life well with animals.
Our Senior Cats – Part 1, by Candace Key
It has been over 20 years since we’ve had a senior cat in the household, and my how things have changed. Dear, Sweet Tayo was diagnosed with kidney disease when it was well advanced. In those days, despite following recommendations for frequent tests to track the disease, there were not the sophisticated metrics and tests we now have to give us more notice. Tayo was losing weight and his coat had that oily “I‘m a sick cat” look. We tried the [...]
The Dog’s Eye Roll, or Teamwork to the Top!
My agility instructor is always right. I grudgingly apply her advice to my handling dilemma, only to discover, time and again, that she is spot on. Meanwhile, you can literally hear my dog’s eye roll in the background. Meet Annette Thomason, the Marin Humane Behavior & Training Agility Program Supervisor. Annette’s stewardship of the Marin Humane Agility Program began almost seven years ago. At the time, she was winding up her professional teaching career as a high-school science instructor and [...]
Behavior & Training Resource: Housetraining: Young & Old
What is successful housetraining? Quite simply, your dog will not soil in the house or any other indoor area to which you may take him. You might choose to designate a particular area in your yard or deck that is to be his elimination area. Some apartment dwellers may, by necessity, choose to have their small dog eliminate on a puppy pad in the house. In any case, successful housetraining means that your dog will only eliminate in the area(s) you [...]
Behavior & Training Resource: Puppy Socialization
Puppy Socialization What is it? Puppy socialization is the process by which a puppy is taught a lifelong set of skills to process novel experiences. Done properly, and in conjunction with a stable temperament, it becomes the foundation for a healthy, stable dog. Socialization means getting your puppy used to the world in which he will live, which is mostly with people. Somehow people started to think socialization meant getting along with other dogs. Though that is important, it’s not nearly [...]
Behavior & Training Resource: Bark Management & Reduction
Bark Management & Reduction What is the behavior? Dogs have an incredible range of elaborate body language and vocalizations which communicate intentions and emotions to other dogs and people. Barking is a dog’s voice. In some situations, you might want your dog to bark (intruder alert). In other situations, your dog’s barking might create problems (at a neighbor). What you want to do is to reduce your dog’s barking, but not eliminate it altogether. Why do dogs bark? Dogs bark for [...]
Behavior & Training Resource: Barking, Lunging, and Snarling on Leash
Barking, Lunging, and Snarling on Leash What is the behavior? Your dog barks, lunges and snarls at other dogs or people he sees when out on a leash walk. It looks scary and is embarrassing to have a dog that acts in such a way. What’s wrong with him? This behavior – barking, lunging, and snarling at another animal or person - goes by many names. Leash aggression, leash frustration and/or leash reactivity are all used somewhat interchangeably when discussing this [...]
