Healthy Cats

3 Rules for Solving Pet Behavior Problems

Consider Environmental Management

Some guardians are training junkies-in the best sense. For them, resolving problems by teaching alternate behaviors is a pleasure. Others are less committed to training and more interested in keeping things simple. If that is your philosophy, environmental management may suit you better. Does one really need to spend countless hours creating setups to teach Snoopy to stay out of the garbage, when just keeping the trash can out of reach would suffice? Don't want the cat on the bed? Close the bedroom door. Hate it when the puppy eats the kids' toys? Put the toys away when the pup is out and put the pup away (in a crate or gated area) when the toys are spread all over the living room. It's quick and easy and may be just what the overscheduled guardian needs to resolve certain problems. Note: Please make sure not to abuse this solution by socially isolating your companion animal in a crate, garage, yard, or basement for long hours every day.

These three steps can make most perplexing pet problems vanish. But if yours persist, contact a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) or an applied animal behaviorist to learn what other tricks they have up their sleeves.

By Jacque Lynn Schultz, CPDT
Companion Animal Programs Advisor
ASPCA National Shelter Outreach