Whether you have
recently adopted an older pet, or have given up trying to correct your
pet's bad habits, it is not too late to teach him good manners. From
house training to digging and chewing, the American Animal Hospital
Association (AAHA) offers tips on how to train your problem canine or
feline.
"Consistency and positive reinforcement are the key to training a pet of
any age," says Link Wellborn, DVM, AAHA past president. "In fact, older
pets may be easier to train than puppies and kittens because they have a
longer attention span."
Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks:
House training should be a breeze for older pets who have less urgency
problems and better control. Keep a close eye on your dog or confine him
to a specific area while indoors. Take him to the same outside spot
every time he goes to the bathroom. Use consistent encouragement and
give him plenty of praise afterward. Treats can be used to assist in
house training. Make sure that the treat is given immediately after the
pet has gone potty. If the treat is given when the dog comes inside, you
will train your dog to walk through a door, not go potty outside.
Solving the Litter Box Blues:
Training your older feline companion will be easier if you use the same
brand of litter that she previously used. If you don’t know what kind of
liter was previously used it is a good idea to offer several different
types. This can be done by using the disposable aluminum trays and
filling each of them with different litter (the litter that she digs in
and uses most often is the litter you should use). Please note that cats
have preferences for texture and smell, so buying a litter that smells
better to you may cause your pet to avoid the litter box. |
Introducing
Commands:
Food treats and positive reinforcement will help your pet learn basic
commands such as "sit," "stay" and "come." Plan your commands ahead of
time and make sure that everyone in your household uses the same
commands so your pet doesn't get confused. Say the command once and then
physically put your pet in the position you desire if he doesn't obey.
If you continuously say the command and the pet does not listen it will
reinforce the fact that they do not have to listen to you.
Older Pets Love Toys Too:
Toys aren't just for puppies and kittens. Older pets also need
stimulating toys and plenty of exercise to prevent them from digging and
chewing out of boredom. Chewing in kittens is common, but they usually
outgrow it. Consult your veterinarian if your older cat is still
chewing; she may have a medical problem that needs attention. Keeping a
close watch over your pet so he doesn't have an opportunity to misbehave
and using consistent praise to reinforce good behavior should eliminate
most behavior problems.
The key to any training regimen is consistent, positive reinforcement of
the desired behavior rather than punishment. Never physically punish a
pet; this may lead to biting out of fear, or other aggressive behavior.
Use praise and attention as a reward when the desired behavior is
exhibited and ignore inappropriate behavior.
If your pet continues to display unwanted behaviors despite your best
efforts, visit your veterinarian to discuss the problem. Your
veterinarian will examine your pet to rule out medical conditions that
could be causing or contributing to the behavior, as well as provide
advice and additional resources to help solve the problem. Your
veterinarian can also refer you to a behavior specialist. The most
important thing to remember is to be patient, you may have years of bad
habits to break and this can not be accomplished in a day or two. |