On Good Behavior

Common pet complaints and how to correct them

Anyone who has loved an animal knows that sometimes that cute, cuddly creature can test the unconditional love of HIS owner. Puppies who chew designer shoes, adolescent dogs who dig up the yard, cats of all ages who suddenly forget how to use a litter box—all of the above and much more can test the patience of even the most laid-back pet parent. Read on for tips of the trade from trainers keyed in to the baffling behavior of our beloved animals.

New House, New Rules

Whether you adopt a puppy, kitten, or an adult dog or cat, don’t expect your new animal to be fully trained.

“We tell every adopter that it takes six weeks for an animal to fully adjust to their new home,” says Shauna Romero, community training coordinator at San Diego Humane Society. “Sometimes people are quick to give their new pet free roam of the house, but it’s a new environment with new people and new things.”

For this reason, Romero always suggests crate training dogs and giving cats their own separate area—something larger than a bathroom—where the cat has access to a litter box, food, and water. This gives them a safe space to call their own and limits their ability to get into trouble.

“As you and your new pet get more comfortable, you can give them more freedom,” Romero says. “It’s easier to give out freedom than it is to take it away.”

Psych!
Decode the psychology behind your pet’s behavior “Dogs have a level of social competence that’s a result of thousands of years of cooperation with humans. This involves the ability to form attachments, follow rules, regulate aggression, and provide assistance,” says Angie Fonseca of SD-K9. Many of their behaviors are easily understood: “If your dog steals your steak, it’s because he’s had access to a delicious meal. If he charges through the door before you, it’s because he hasn’t learned to wait for the cue to go. If he growls at you when he has his favorite toy, it’s because he’s had it taken away and hasn’t learned to feel comfortable sharing it with you. All of these things can be corrected, not with dominance, but with training.” 

Soothing Separation Anxiety

Your pet lives for you—and the treats you provide him. When you’re not around, it’s only natural for him to miss your company—and to act out to show it.

“It’s common for dogs to worry about being left alone,” says Atsuko Greenwood of Canis Pet Dog Training and Supplies. “The goal is to teach a dog to build his confidence about his owner returning.” To do this, Greenwood suggests crate training while you’re home: Place a crate or x-pen in a comfortable location near you, then occasionally toss in treats to reward good behavior. Gradually start taking steps away from the crate or pen and reward when you return.

“The exercise should be continued, gradually increasing distance and duration away from your dog,” Greenwood adds. “Just be careful not to increase the criteria too quickly or it may increase anxiety.”

Lessons for the Litter Box

When it comes to cat complaints, the most common involves the litter box. “It’s a huge issue and it’s not always the simplest fix,” says Michelle Stolte, manager of the Behavior Center at San Diego Humane Society. “Almost always, there’s something stressing out the cat. It’s just a matter of figuring out what.”

If your cat is having accidents in the house—or even purposely avoiding her litter box—first, take her to the vet to rule out a medical issue and then give her time, patience, and trial and error to remedy the situation. Ask yourself questions: Did you put the box in a different place or change the type of litter? Did someone new move in or out? Is the litter hurting your cat’s paws or is there something blocking the cat’s sight?

“Think about even the tiniest thing that may have changed in your life. It may be small to you, but it can be a very big deal for your cat,” Stolte says.

Stolte recommends putting multiple boxes in different places in the house, trying new types of litter, and if all else fails, going back to square one by placing a box in a small space where your cat was first trained.

A Circle of Trust

Animals who weren’t well socialized in their first weeks of life can often be shy and fearful of new people. Adopting a shy or fearful animal requires patience and understanding until trust is built.

“Sometimes people don’t understand how long it can take an animal to warm up to them,” says Morgan Hill, director of the Behavior Center at San Diego Humane Society. “I have two cats that took a full month to trust me. It’s hard for people to resist the two adorable animals they’ve just adopted, but sometimes you just have to wait until they come around.”

Shy or fearful animals need to slowly associate people with the perks they provide. For these animals, Hill and Stolte recommend offering a safe place—like a crate with a towel over it—and a slow introduction to treats.

“Sit in the room with the dog in his crate or the cat in his safe space and toss them treats—meat-based baby food, cream cheese, or hot dogs,” Stolte says. “See if they’re interested; if they are, that’s a great sign. It takes a lot of patience and a lot of very small steps, but eventually your pet will associate you with positive rewards.”

Small Pets, Big Bad Habits
How to quell common concerns with littler creatures:
Birds: Place birdcages in a room where they’ll have lots of socialization to prevent unwanted behaviors like screaming. Rabbits: Don’t expect your rabbit to want to cuddle in your lap. Instead, get down on the floor, where she will be more likely to play and let you pet her. sandiegorabbits.org Hamsters: Hamsters are nocturnal, so be prepared for activity throughout the night. weecompanions.org 

Love on a Leash

Two of the three most common complaints brought to trainer Angie Fonseca of SD-K9 are linked to the leash: reactivity and pulling.

“Clients say, ‘My dog loves other dogs, but when we’re on a walk, he acts so aggressive toward them,’” she says. “Many people have a very dog-social dog who has simply developed a negative reaction to seeing dogs while on a leash, and the common factor is typically the leash itself. When the leash is attached to a dog it is essentially an extension of their body; when there is tension on the leash, there is tension in the dog’s body, which can lead to your dog experiencing tense feelings expressed through barking, growling, pulling, and lunging.”

While Fonseca says this behavior isn’t an easy fix, it starts with prevention and being proactive. “Prevent your dog from meeting other dogs on a leash,” she says. “This will eliminate those overexcited greetings and prevent you from unintentionally rewarding these unwanted behaviors by giving him what he wants.”

When you see other dogs approaching on your walk, move in a perpendicular direction, she concludes, increasing the distance between the two. Then, reward your dog with high-value treats. “This will make a big difference in your dog having positive feelings about seeing other dogs.”

Story By Christina Orlovsky Page
Photos by Becca Bautista