Behavior & Training Library

Recursos de comportamiento en español

Pet behavioral issues can be overwhelming—so we’re here to help! You can read our guides below or call our behavior & training helpline.

Our goal is to help pet owners and potential adopters gain a deeper understanding of cat and dog behavior through classes, private training, on-demand webinars, our helpline, and the training guides below to ensure that people and pets live together comfortably. These guides include scientifically-based methods and best practices that will help you manage many common behavioral problems.

Cat Behavior

Dog Behavior

Cat Behavior

Addressing Unwanted Behaviors

Feline Overstimulation Why does my cat bite me when I pet them?

Feline Play Aggression Preventing stalking ankles and play biting

House Soiling Help! Why is my cat not using the litter box?

Transitioning Tips for Fear Setting a fearful cat up for success

Hisses to Kisses: Modifying Fear Techniques for training and socializing fearful cats and kittens

Tasty Tidbits for Feline Stress Inappetence Tips for helping stressed cats eat

Managing Feline Nighttime Activity How to prevent and train unwanted behaviors like nighttime yowling

How to Prevent Rough Inter-Cat Play How to tell when inter-cat play is rowdy or aggressive

Escape Prevention Management and training techniques a feline escape artist

Skill Building

How to Introduce Cat and Dog Best practices for intros between dogs and cats

How to Introduce Cat and Cat Tips for intros between cats

Clicker Training 101 Want to learn how to train your cat?

Feline Consent Checks Use this one simple training tool to improve your relationship with your cat!

How to Read Cat Body Language: Illustrations from doggiedrawings.net

Kittens Learning Litter Boxes Help train your young kitten how to use the litter box

Happy Hunters Feline Play There’s more to playing with your cat than you might think!

Harness Training for Your Cat Is harness training right for your cat?

A Guide to Indoor Feline Enrichment Your guide to enriching your cat’s life!

How to Crate a Cat Creative solutions for training cats that are fearful of the crate

Celebrating Safely: Feline Fireworks Preparedness How to keep your cat safe and comfortable during fireworks season

Dog Behavior

Skill Building

Clicker Training 101 Clicker training basics: how dogs learn

Canine Consent Checks Use this one simple training tool to improve your relationship with your dog!

Constructive Canines: a Guide to Enrichment Easy ways to add enrichment your dog’s daily routine (and problem solve unwanted behavior!

How to Read Dog Body Language: Illustrations from doggiedrawings.net

Decompress for Success Easy ways to reduce fear and stress in your dog’s routine, and improve unwanted behaviors!

Kiddos and Canines Strategies for setting dogs and children up for success

Mat Meditation: Training for Doggie Decompression A relaxation training exercise that targets your dog’s central nervous system

Desensitization and Counter Conditioning (DS/CC) Help your dog feel more comfortable around things that worry them: a training exercise

Administering Medication: Dogs A guide for dogs who are suspicious of medication

Nose Targeting Targeting: Our favorite foundational training exercise!

Loose Leash Walking Does your dog pull on leash? Here’s how to train loose leash walking!

Transitioning from Shelter to Home How to help your dog transition when bringing them home for the first time

Dog to Dog Introductions Tips and best practices for introducing dogs to one another

How to Introduce Cat and Dog Best practices for introducing dogs and cats

Decoding Dog Play Tips for how to read dog/dog play and how to intervene when needed

Managing a Multi-Dog Household Tips for keeping the peace in a multi-dog household

Celebrating Safely: Canine Fireworks Preparedness Help your dog feel comfortable when they think the sky is falling

Puppies

Puppy Socialization Preparing your puppy for the world—don’t skip these crucial milestones!

Basic Potty Training Guide Teach your dog to “go” where you want them to

Basic Crate Training Guide Teach your dog that the crate is a wonderful place to be

Puppy Mouthing Basics Tips for addressing puppy mouthing

Puppy Mouthing Practical Exercises More in-depth examples of training with mouthy puppies

Behavior Modification

Managing Separation Distress Tips for dogs who get stressed when left alone

Managing Handling Sensitivities Tips for dogs who aren’t comfortable with handling

Treat Retreat Shy dog? Here’s a training exercise to help a fearful dog build trust fast!

Transitioning Tips for Fearful Dogs or Puppies Setting fearful dogs up for success during a transition

Stranger Danger Tips for dogs who are fearful or uncomfortable around new places and people

Rowdy Jumpy Mouthy Behaviors Tips for training overexcited rowdy jumping and mouthing behaviors

Resource Guarding Behavior How to safely manage resource guarding behaviors

Demand Barking How to respond to a dog who yells at you when they want something

Escape Prevention Tips Tips for what to do if your dog is an escape artist

Reactivity

Reactive Behavior Management and training for dogs who bark their feelings: an overview

Look At That! A Game for Confidence Building and Reactivity Our favorite training exercise for reactive behaviors

Emergency U-Turns Our second favorite training exercise for reactive behaviors

Community Knowledge

How to Choose a Trainer/Local Referral List Looking for a trainer who can come to YOU? Here’s how to choose trainers, and a list of vetted certified professionals in the Bay Area!

Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and Emotional Support Dogs Assistance animals and what their classifications really mean

Canine Behavior Medication What’s the deal with behavior medications and how are they used in training?

Pattern Games: A Game Changer for Your Dog? Learn about Leslie McDevitt’s groundbreaking strategies for dog training!

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