Training Tip

So your dog or cat has a little behavior “quirk” that you’d like to change?  Depending on the seriousness of the behavior, some issues call for the assistance of a professional behavior consultant.  For more minor issues, though, keep one thing in mind.  It is never good enough to just tell your pet “no…don’t do that.” 

All “no’s” must be followed up with a “do this instead.”  So if your dog is hungrily eyeing your couch leg, make a sound to distract him and offer him a wonderful doggy chew toy instead.  If your kitten looks like she’s about to give your chair a good clawing, direct her to the scratching post instead.  By offering them a better behavior to do “instead,” they’ll learn to behave that much more quickly. 

For help on more difficult issues, contact the Michigan Humane Society Pet Education Center Behavior Help Line for guidance 248-650-0127.