All animals stem from being wild. They can all survive without people, but many choose to be a member of your “pack”. Therefore, many pet owners happily say that their pets are a part of their family. Most pet lovers also agree that if you have a pet, regardless of what it is, you have a responsibility to them. This extends to teaching them the right ways to behave. Luckily, a lot of the same tips and tricks apply to training everything from a beloved K9 to birds. Even cats can be trained a little if you use these tips for training across all animals, regardless of species or breed.
Bringing Your Pet Home
When you go looking for a pet, you most likely go with a single purpose in mind; to take home a cat, a dog, a bird, a snake, or any other type of animal that you have a fondness for. The bond between you and that animal is not usually very strong when you first see it, but sometimes there is a spontaneous attraction between you and one animal over the others. You take that chosen pet home and then you learn to love it. The animal must do the same. They are taken from their familiar environment and into a new place where they must thrive. They may hide away, be skittish, yelp or cry out throughout the night, etc. If you are patient, they will start to trust in you to care for them. It may take a few days and nights, but they will figure out that there is no danger in your home.
The Training Begins
After you get your pet home, you will have to tackle teaching them what you expect of them. For instance, potty training or box training for cats and dogs. Cats are easier because they have a natural desire to go into an area they can hide it in, but there are also similarities because you may have to show them where to “go”. All animals respond to special treats. Therefore, keep some treats on hand specifically for training. When your pet does something you want them to do, an immediate reward for their efforts will be appreciated by them. Some people say that clickers work great for this, especially with cats. When you see them doing right, click and offer a treat. The treat may be a bite of tuna or something else that they love to snack on. You can also use a clicker to get a pet’s attention if you are not using it as a reward. This can interrupt what they may be doing if you do not want them to do it, for instance having your dog chew on a shoe.
Tips and Tricks for Training
The best tip and a major key in all training is consistency and it applies to all types of animals that you may want to train. If you want a bird to speak or enjoy being held on your shoulder, you have to be consistent in talking to them or having them sit. If you want a cat to stay off your table, you have to be consistent in telling them, “No” when you see them on the table. This helps you to establish dominance with your pet and you can also build trust with them if you are not “mean” in correcting the things that they are doing wrong. Even when you want them to sleep in a crate, according to the crate training guide, you must ensure that it is a “safe” place for them to hide away when they want alone time. Beyond that, you must also take a little time to know your pet. When are they most happy to work with you? Are they more social with you during a specific part of the day? Use that time to your advantage and you will get further with training in less time.