Archive for January, 2009

Top 5 Ways to Train Your Cat

Kathrynn Kelley asked:


Cats are greatly popular, and among the top favorites to have as pets. They are cute, fun, and greatly independent, making them easy to have around. However, if you don’t know how to train them, your cute kitty, can turn into a great pain.

People assume because cats are independent and have a stubborn streak that they are hard to train, but if you know the proper way to train them it’s rather easy. It will take a little time, because like we mentioned before they are stubborn, however you can use that stubborn streak to your advantage.



These are a few cat training tips to ensure a successful training program:


1. Don’t give up

Two seconds into starting to train your cat, you might realize that’s not a piece of cake, but it’s not rocket science either. If you have trained another animal before, you have probably noticed that it’s not easy, but it’s not difficult once you look back on it. With training a cat, you have to stay focused and willing. Though it might take a little more effort, you can train your cat.

2. Know your cat

In order to train your cat, you have to know what his/her personality is like. No two cats are the same, so if you know how your cat acts, it will make training much easier for you. You need to learn what your cat likes and doesn’t like and go from there.

3. Know when to train your cat

You need to know when it’s OK to train your cat. First, don’t wake them from a catnap to train them. They’re just like a sleeping baby. If you wake them up when they aren’t ready to be woken up and are still tired, you’re going to have a cranky kitty on your hands.

You’re going to get frustrated because your cat is frustrated. It won’t want to listen to you, when all they want to do is nap. Plus, you need to keep training sessions short. You don’t want your cat to get overwhelmed or worse bored. This will be counter productive, and leave you again frustrated.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement



This is the most crucial part of your cat’s training program. When your cat does the desired behavior you reward them with praise or a treat. Don’t reward them out of the blue, because they will associate rewards with doing absolutely nothing. Also, remember not to punish them. If they do something wrong, don’t react at all! This is important, you don’t want them to associate what they did wrong with any attention what so ever.

5. Small steps



Though this might cause the training process to take a little longer, you have to take things slowly. You’re teaching a new cat, new tricks, so it will take time. If you want your cat to learn something, you can’t expect him/her to know how to do it that first day.

For example, if you want to train your cat to use the toilet (yes, people do it these days), then it is best for you to gradually move the cat’s litter box closer and closer to the bathroom that you want him/her to use. Don’t immediately push the cat into the bathroom and expect that it will learn to use the toilet. Small steps will get you and your cat where you want to be.



Kelly Marshall asked:


Many dog owners neglect leash training their dogs. Why? Because they feel that is too much hassle and they feel that leash training is a waste of time. It’s not – leash training is widely underestimated by new dog owners. The method of getting your dog used to being on leash is very easy and just takes a little bit of your time. This small investment of properly training your dog to walk the right way is worth it in the near future, especially if your puppy will grow up weighing 50 or more pounds.

Every week I receive a dozen or more questions from new dog owners that ask me about leash training. Dog owners want to know what type of leash is best, what type to avoid, how long they should walk their dog, how to get the dog to stop pulling.

The following information below is a list of a few of the most common leash training questions for your benefit. Don’t forget, there is no one best way to do anything so when it comes to dog training, whether it involves leash training or other lesson, it is okay to include in your own training ideas so long as you keep it extremely positive – Negative dog training is never recommended and highly discouraged.

So, here are a few basic leash training questions and answers:

• What kind of material should my leash be made of? When you walk into any pet-specific store you’ll discover that most leashes for sale are made of nylon. Nylon is easy to wash and comes in an assortment of pretty colors. Nevertheless, they will burn your hand if the dog suddenly pulls and the leash moves through your fingers.

• I recommend that you buy a leather leash. In fact, a six-foot leash made of leather is a great size and material. It is long lasting you will not experience any type of burning sensation if it is pulled. Plus the grip is firm and your control is increased.

• Should you use using chain leashes? You can, however, chain leashes are just like nylon material, a chain leash can hurt your hands if the dog yanks hard and your grip slips. The benefit of this is that they are practically indestructible and will last a very long time. But injury could be much more severe than a nylon burn.

• How much room should you allow the leash to extend when walking your dog? Experienced dog trainers suggest that your puppy or adult dog does not need any more than 5 – 6 feet of distance to roam when you are walking it. This is plenty of room for you to keep control of the situation, while at the same time giving your dog a chance to sniff out small areas along the way.

• Lastly, how wide should your dog’s leash be? This answer is very simple. A leash that is approximately ½ inches to ¾ inches is ideal. Try to avoid heavy, bulky leashes.



Gail Metcalf asked:


The more fully you educate yourself about the ins and outs of cat care, the more able you will be to create an ideal care regimen for your pet. The better your cat care, the longer your cat will live, and the higher the quality of life it will have. In case that isn’t reason enough for you to invest a bit of time and energy in learning to offer your feline pet the best possible cat care, here is a quick breakdown of a few of the many benefits to outstanding cat care.

Great cat care means that when your cat needs medical treatment, you will recognize the signs early, possibly even long before invasive or costly procedures or drugs are necessary. Conscientious cat care will help you notice any health problems as soon as they manifest in even minor symptoms. This can help you catch issues early, when they are at their most easily treatable. By providing great cat care, you are helping to stop diseases and other health problems in their tracks by getting your cat the medical attention he or she needs as early as possible.

Regular, excellent cat care means that you will be able to be more efficient and save time in your cat care regimen. If you take a bit of time each day to complete a few simple cat care tasks, you will be sure that nothing builds up until it gets out of hand. In fact, you can spend less time overall by making efficient cat care a part of every day. Habitual and thorough cat care can actually be less work than taking care of a cat who you have ignored even a little bit. After all, grooming a slightly scruffy cat once every week is easier overall than grooming an utterly filthy cat once a month.

When you fully understand the different aspects of cat care, you can be sure that you aren’t neglecting any part of the cat care equation. Cat care is a multifaceted process that includes everything from stern training to playful snuggling, and an inexperienced or uneducated cat owner may not be aware of all of these different sides to having a cat. When a cat doesn’t have all of its needs fulfilled, it can develop behavior or health problems that could have been avoided through simple, responsible care on the part of the owner.

Last but not least, one great reason to improve your cat care is simply that there is no good reason not to. Learning how to care for your cat more fully and completely is easy, so you might as well give it a try. Even if you think that you already know everything under the sun about cat care, it never hurts to double check. Take some time to skim a book or a few websites on the subject, and you just may discover your own reasons to improve the way you care for your pet.



5 Ferret Potty Training Tips and Tricks

Seth Evans asked:


As of the present, potty training does not necessarily refer to tots and two-year olds. In fact, potty training is also considered a training manual meant for ferrets as domestic creatures. The growing popularity of ferrets in various areas, particularly the United States, resulted to a required system of discipline such as litter literacy and potty training.

For both new and long-time ferret owners, these are the easiest ways to instill discipline and sanitation practices.

1.    All you need are materials namely litter pans and pellet litter. Buy an appropriate litter box or pan and place it inside your pet’s cage. Choose an item that does not consume too much space or if you plan to buy a number of litter trays, make sure to strategically place these within your premises.

2.    Make use of wood or newspaper pellets as litter. Others have mistakenly utilized cat litter which is made out of clay. However, it has proven that such items are hazardous and pose potential dangers to ferrets.

3.    Simulation is vital in potty training your ferrets. All you have to do is place some soiled bedding. Ferrets are trainable and they can get used to a lot of things including smells and scents. Once they recognize the same odor, which is present in urine soiled bedding, chances are he will find it easier to use the existing litter tray.

4.    Clearly observe your pet while potty training them. It is best to watch their every move and manner. Once you see minor improvements on their litter practices, it is advised to reward them well.

5.    Reassuring your ferrets is a likely tip. At first, while watching your ferret use the litter pan or tray, a sort of approval is sometimes needed. Do not hesitate to play with them. Besides, an act of appreciation always works.

Potty training is basically an element of ferret owning. Do whatever is necessary to achieve better results in the end. Make use of tools and items meant for ferrets. It is also advisable to keep their cages and litter pans clean. Ensure that your place has a good number of litter trays. Place them in areas where your pet normally hides or plays. You may also choose to reward them with ferret snacks and treats.

Practice makes perfect. The same principle can also be applied to ferrets. With the help of their supportive owners, potty training becomes less difficult and not complicated. You have to keep in mind the significance of organization and cleanliness. Besides, thinking of litter literacy will always bring us to methods of grooming, sanitation and health.



  

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