The relationship between humans and animals

Discouraging potty training errors – Rather than pointing your dog’s nose into that pee spot on the carpet and scolding them, you can prevent a repeat incident by making sure you remove the smell completely from your rug. After soaking up the spot (a squeegee works too), a dusting of baking soda or a rub with a baby wipe should do the trick.

New is not always better – When your cat’s scratching post starts to look ratty and worn, don’t jump too quickly to replace it. Cats enjoy a worn-in post more than something new, and may switch to valuable furniture to dig their claws into if you take that away. If the post does need refreshing, adding a few coils of rope can help provide a new scratching surface.  When you need to buy a new toy for your pet, think about making one at home from old fabrics and toys laying around the house.  This will help save money, and keep your pet occupied.

The difference between bribery and reward – Training with treats is an effective way to get your dog (or cat!) to learn tricks and positive behaviors. However, you want to reward your pet with affection, praise, games and petting in addition to the treats. This way, they learn to appreciate your attention along with the snack!