Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital

Tips for Clicker Training Your Cat

 Cats don’t have owners; they have servants. Most cat owners agree that their feline friends are often quite independent almost mocking the owner who tries to train them. However, clicker training a cat is entirely different. Using a clicker for training isn’t forcing the cat to do anything. In fact, with cats, forcing seldom if ever works. They find methods of avoiding the behavior you want or seek revenge.

Clicker training uses operant conditioning for training and begins in a quiet area familiar to the cat. All you need is a clicker and a pocketful of your feline friend’s favorite treats. Initially, you’ll simply work on getting the cat to associate the sound of a click with a scrumptious kibble he loves. You click and immediately follow the click with a treat. Practice this step for several days until he makes a beeline toward you when he hears the click. Now you’re both ready to begin training.

You don’t have to use commands when you begin clicker training. In fact, it often impedes the process. Instead, you wait until the cat exhibits the behavior you want, such as sitting, then click and follow it with a treat. Training becomes a pleasant time and you never need to force your feline to perform. He’ll get the message that performing specific behaviors has rewards.

Senior Pets Require Special Care

As our pets age, they face many of the same health problems we do – including arthritis, dental problems, thyroid problems, diabetes and even senility can bring abrupt changes in your pet’s health.  These are not the only problems linked to aging pets. They also experience cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease – just as we do.

Recognizing the changes early and insuring your pet receives the attention he or she deserves is important. For many of the common diseases of old age in our pets, one of the earliest symptoms is increased thirst.  If you notice this, bring your pet to your veterinarian right away. Cats and dogs with arthritis will move more slowly or experience difficulty getting up or laying down.  Likewise, they may have trouble getting up the stairs or on their favorite chair. There are many safe and effective medications and treatments to help make your pet more comfortable in their senior years.

For senior pets over seven years of age, your veterinarian will recommend a check-up every six months rather than an annual one. Remember that one year in a pet’s life is equivalent to 6-7 years in a human life.  Also, our pets don’t complain about their aches, pains, and other discomforts as we do.  Often, it is only through the trained hands of a veterinarian that health issues are discovered. Just as with our health, it’s always best to catch any problems in their early stages. You can prevent further decline or improve the quality & comfort of Fido or Kitty’s life if you discover problems early.

Pet Obesity: How to Keep Them Fit & Lean

Pet Obesity-How to keep your pet fit and lean

Sadly, it is more common to see pets that are over weight than lean.  On average pets that are over weight live approximately 2 years less than pets that are at a healthy body condition.  They are also more prone to crippling diseases such as arthritis and diabetes.

Keeping your pets at a good body weight entails finding the right balance of a good calorie controlled healthy diet and also the right amount of exercise. This can often be trickier for people that live in the city so, here are a few tips to help you city-dwellers exercise your pets.

Dog owners can utilize local dog parks. Most cities have at least a few fully fenced in areas where dogs can safely run and exercise. Many of us also take our dogs to doggy daycare where under a more restricted environment they can exercise and play with other dogs.  If inclined, it is a good idea to try to run or jog with your dog. This will not only help your dog stay fit but will also allow you to exercise as well.

Cat owners can keep their cats trim by placing the daily food allowance amongst several smaller bowls so that their cat will have to go on a “hunt” for additional food. If the home is in two levels utilize the upstairs level so that your cat can exercise going up and down the stairs.  Cats can be stimulated to play with laser and cat nip toys.  Once they get started they often actively seek out playtime. This is fun for us and our cats

Introducing Clicker Training to Your Dog

Clicker training is the most effect method to use for training your dog.  Dogs will learn new behaviors on average 33% faster than any other training method. Clicker training is more than just positive reinforcements with treats. Since you use the clicker at the exact moment the dog exhibits the appropriate behavior, he or she knows precisely the behavior that warranted the reward.  This improves your timing, and gives you some extra time to present the treat.

Clicker training uses operant conditioning as its basis. It takes the drudgery out of training for both the dog and the owner and makes learning new tricks and skills fun. Shy dogs respond well to clicker training and often become more outgoing and active. Even more independent or assertive dogs lose the disdain for training and approach it with vigor with clicker training.

Introducing your dog to clicker training is easy. You need a quiet, familiar place to the dog, a clicker, and a pocket full of his favorite treat cut in smaller pieces. Start by using the clicker and then immediately feed the dog a treat. Go through the process as many as 10 times to create the association between the click and the treat. You may need to do this process for several days until your dog understands the association.

Don't Let your Pet Cause a House Fire

You probably already know that your pet can do a bit of damage around your home.  If you're like most owners, then you haven't given much thought to the possibility of your pet causing a house fire.

Having open flames around your home is particularly dangerous if you have a pet.  It's very easy for a dog or cat to knock over a candle while sniffing the flame or with their tail when walking by.  If you aren't paying attention, significant damage could result. 

Another danger is your stove.  Be aware that your pet may  be able to jump up and fiddle with the knobs resulting in turning on the stove or oven.  A good way to keep this from happening is to put covers over the knobs and only take them off whenever you're about to use the appliance.

When you're not home, there's no telling what your pet is doing inside.  A fire may occur when no one else is home and your pet would be trapped inside with no one to call for help.  Monitored security systems can help by sending someone for your pet in the event of a fire while you're away.