Fight Boredom and Improve Your Pet’s Behavior

Many of our pets perform behaviors that are natural & normal for their species but we find them problematic in our human world. Example include digging, jumping, barking & scratching. Problem behaviors can usually be improved rather easily with an appropriate plan in place and a commitment on the part of the guardian (that’s you!) to make some changes.
A common cause of problem behaviors is boredom! As pet guardians we have the responsibility to provide our pets with everything they need- focusing most on nutrition, exercise, training, mental & physical stimulation.
Being a Certified Professional Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant, I get calls and emails weekly from pet guardians looking for help. The first question I always ask is “How much exercise does your pet get?” Most people will respond that “my dog/cat gets plenty of exercise,” and I remind them that their needs usually are much more than what we think is adequate.
To improve walks with your dog (which is a great form of exercise), I recommend first getting a quality no-pull harness such as a Freedom Harness or Balance Harness. Other tips include buying a doggie backpack that can be weighed down with water bottles to make the walk more strenuous for them. A 30-minute walk feels like an hour to the dog using the backpack- just ease them slowly into carrying the weight.
If your cat needs more exercise I suggest you visit Jackson Galaxy’s blog and look at the “play therapy” topic. He describes in detail how to play with your cat so they are engaged, active and you get their heart rate up.
Daily training sessions with basic training works your pets mind and makes them tired too. Short, 5-to-10-minute sessions are best, done as frequently as you like, using positive reinforcement methods. Both dogs AND cats can be trained to perform cues like sit, down, come and paw.
Lastly, ditch the food bowl! Instead use food dispensing toys. I recommend to feed your pet some or all of their meals through daily training sessions and through the use of puzzle toys. Your pet will love it!
A note about hiring a trainer: Professional help is an investment in the pet/human relationship. A few sessions can go a long way to making vast improvements in your pet’s behavior. Make sure your professional is certified through at least one of the following organizations: PPG, CCPDT, IAACP. Dog training is an unregulated industry so do your research to make sure you find someone qualified that doesn’t use shock, pain or fear in their training plans.