Enrolling your pooch into professional training classes will improve the relationship you share together throughout his life. Inappropriate behaviors can be modified, eliminated, and discouraged before they take root while desired behaviors can be reinforced. The sessions also provide an ideal setting for your canine to learn valuable socialization skills. He’ll have a chance to interact with other pets and their owners in a controlled environment. In the end, your dog will be a more pleasant companion to you and your family.

The challenge is finding the right professional trainer for your dog. Experience and skill sets vary wildly. Moreover, the approach taken by some trainers is opposite the approach taken by others. This article will provide a helpful overview for choosing the right trainer and training classes for your pooch.

The Value Of Reputation

One of the best places to start your search is at your veterinarian’s office. First, your vet can likely offer a few recommendations based on his or her personal experience with multiple instructors. Professional reputation is important. Second, many of the people who visit your veterinarian’s office can direct you to their own dogs’ trainers. They’ll also be able to offer useful insight regarding certain individuals and their respective approaches.

You should also check with nearby animal shelters. Many of them will maintain a short list of training classes for visitors who wish to enroll their canines after adopting them. Any instructor included on that list will likely have met a certain standard of professionalism.

Identifying The Trainer’s Skill Set

Take the time to observe a few classes before enrolling your canine. Note how the instructor interacts with the pets in his or her care. Watch how he or she interacts with the other owners. Also, pay attention to the mannerisms of the dogs when they arrive at the sessions. Do they seem excited to be there or are they reserved? Their behavior might provide insight into the instructor’s ability or willingness to connect with them.

At some point, you’ll need to ask a few direct questions of the trainer. Ask whether he or she is affiliated with any professional training associations. Find out about the person’s education and experience in the field. Has he or she trained other canines to do what you would like your own dog to do? A professional instructor should be willing to answer your questions openly and clarify any concerns you might have about the training classes.

Strategy And Style

Even though most professional dog trainers avoid using punishment as a method for curbing unacceptable behaviors, some continue to do so. They’ll hit, slap, or choke canines to discourage specific actions. This is a bad training strategy and reveals a poor understanding of the triggers that motivate dogs.

Instructors should use positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate behaviors. If your pooch does something that is unacceptable, rewards and attention should be withheld. Punishment should not have a place.

Also, try to determine whether other owners are having fun during the training sessions. That suggests the trainer enjoys working with canines and encourages the participation of their owners.

Match The Classes To Your Pooch

There are several types of dog training classes and each one is designed to meet different goals. For example, some sessions are specifically designed to teach socialization skills to puppies. Others are meant to teach basic commands and promote overall obedience. Some classes focus on specific areas, such as agility, search and rescue, and field work. This is the reason it’s important to identify your goals before enrolling your pooch.

Professional dog trainers can play a significant role in the development of your canine into a pleasant, loyal, and obedient companion. They can help shape him into a pet that you and your family will look forward to seeing every day. Use the suggestions above to choose an instructor who has the skills, style, and approach that match your expectations.

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Can Cats Be Toilet Trained?

Finding an alternative to the high price and unpleasant odor of kitty litter is
usually of great importance to cat owners. Dealing with cat droppings may make
their owners wonder if there’s a more sanitary way to handle it that eliminates
kitty litter. An easier, more sanitary way does exist. Just like humans, cats
can be trained to use the toilet. Cats can be trained to do their business in
the toilet, however they cannot be taught how to flush it.

You might think that cats can’t use the toilet, and that this is just crazy.
However, it really is true. Instead of using kitty litter, you can teach your
cat to do their business in the bathroom through toilet training. The image of
Tigger reading a newspaper or magazine on the toilet has probably popped into
your head. This isn’t far from the truth, despite its humor. Your cat will be
sitting on the toilet, but they will obviously not be reading.

Getting cats to use their basic instincts is key to getting a cat on the toilet.
Training them not to cover their droppings with kitty litter is an instinct you
will need to retrain. Over time, this can be achieved. Plenty of patience with
your cat will be required. After all, you are asking your cat to use the toilet.
For easy access, most cat owners leave the kitty litter on the floor. For cats,
going from the floor to the toilet is the hardest part to learn.

When toilet training a cat, perhaps you might wonder if age comes into play. It
does not matter how old a cat is; they can be toilet trained at any age. All you
need to do is to get your cat on the toilet, because this is an instinctual
behavior. As you dispose of the kitty litter, your cat will take care of the
rest.

Bags packed? Check. Pet friendly hotels researched and reserved? Check. Fido’s passport ready? Wait a minute – a passport for your pet? Maybe. We know it takes some preparation to travel with your pet, but if you’re planning a trip overseas there are some extra bases to cover in order to be ready. Here’s how to make your international adventure with Fido go as smoothly as paws-ible.

Know Before You Go

If your heart’s set on the perfect destination, it’s very important to make sure that your country of choice will allow your pet to accompany you. The United Kingdom has a strict quarantine policy for pets arriving from countries that do not fall under their Pet Travel Scheme. (if you’re coming from the US or Canada, you do). The Pet Travel Scheme requires that pets be microchipped, vaccinated, tested and certified – a process that takes up to six months. Guam and many islands in the Caribbean also quarantine pets, so it’s imperative to determine the country’s pet travel guidelines and then contact their individual consulate(s). The country consulates have all of the information that you will need and are generally very helpful. For more information on how to reach embassies and consulates, please visit the US Department of State at http://www.usembassy.gov.

Pet Passport Required

Planning on going to Europe? If you’re headed to one of these countries in the European Union, you’ll need to have a passport for your dog, cat, or ferret. You can get a passport from your vet, given that your pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date. Your vet will also need to complete a health certificate and show proof that all vaccinations are up-to-date. This testing process must begin at least three months before you travel, so plan ahead.

The EU is currently the only place that mandates a pet passport. For more information, the European Commission website contains a comprehensive list of regulations and forms that you will need to be in compliance.

Other Pet Travel Documentation

Most destinations will require an International Certificate of Pet Health or CFIA health certificate. You can get this from your vet or from the embassy of the country you’re going to visit. Here are some other things to keep in mind:

- Find out whether or not your destination requires that your pet’s documentation be translated into the language of the country that you’re visiting.

- Some countries, such as Ireland, have additional vaccination and testing requirements, such as tick or tapeworm treatments. Be sure to have this additional information with you if it’s required to avoid having your pet quarantined at the border.

- You may need the original paperwork that came with your pet’s rabies vaccination.

- Get a doctor’s letter detailing your need for your service or therapy animal. It’s often required in order to get access to places where animals are otherwise not allowed.

It’s also important to note that your pet needs to be easily identifiable. If Fido’s not currently microchipped, it might not be a bad idea to do it now. Although not all countries require it, the European Union is making it mandatory for all pets coming into their countries starting July 2011. Even if international pet travel isn’t in your immediate future plans, microchipping can ensure the health and safety of your beloved companion in the event that the two of you are separated.

Don’t be intimidated by all of the documentation and requirements. The key to success is through research and planning ahead. If you never leave home without your pet, a trip abroad shouldn’t put a damper on this special tradition.