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• Behavior Management: Enrichment and Foraging Toys

  Foraging toys are designed to provide mental and physical exercise and enjoyment by simulating hunting and seeking for food. Both dogs and cats are natural hunters and scavengers. They benefit from exercising this part of their brain on a regular basis. Providing enrichment in the form of foraging toys can decrease boredom, improve enjoyment, and encourage dogs and cats to engage in species-specific behaviors in a desirable way.

• Behavior Management: Feeding for Success

  Foraging toys are great for dogs and cats. They can be filled with treats or with the pet's regular food as an alternative to feeding from a dish. They offer mental and physical exercise while also providing benefits from sensory stimulation as they search for their meals. Dogs in particular benefit from the opportunity to solve puzzles in order to access food.

• Behavior Management: Pet Selection Guidelines

  Seeking guidance before obtaining a new pet can prevent many behavior and health problems in pets. Such a consultation will help you select the best pet for the household, but also provide information on how to prepare in advance for the new arrival.

• Behavior Modification – Clicker and Target Training

  Marker-based training such as clicker training is a positive reinforcement technique that allows great precision and can help animals learn complex behaviors. Charging the marker, marking correctly, and building a reinforcement plan will help with successful training.

• Behavior Modification: TTouch®

  TTouch is a form of touch therapy developed by Linda Tellington-Jones as a way to condition relaxation through gentle massage. Most treatment plans for behavioral problems are designed using a multi-modal approach, and TTouch may be part of that approach.

• Behavior of Mini-Pigs

  Mini-pigs are very social animals. Understanding their need for attention and their social interactions with the human family or another pet pig is essential to keeping your pet happy. Outdoor activities in a safe, fenced-in yard are helpful and enriching for your pet mini-pig.

• Biting and Screaming in Birds

  Birds may bite for many reasons; learning to recognize warning signs can help prevent this behavior. Screaming in birds is a natural way for birds to communicate with each other, but it could also be a health issue. This handout outlines how to understand and address these behaviors in birds.

• Bringing Home Your New Kitten

  Transitioning to a new home is a big step for even the most playful and outgoing kitten. Slowly introduce your kitten to your home, family members, and other cats or dogs in the home. Begin training your kitten as soon as they are comfortable with all the members of your household.

• Can Old Dogs Learn New Tricks?

  Even though young pups may be more actively curious, dogs never stop learning. In fact, adult dogs are often easier to train than their younger canine friends. Older dogs are not as easily distracted as pups and can focus for longer periods of time. Teaching and learning new tricks can be a fun pastime for you and your dog, no matter your respective ages.

• Canine Cognition: How Smart Are Dogs?

  Dogs are smart, and we see examples of their intelligence through both scientific research and real-life situations. They can learn by watching, cooperating with another dog or person, or just by being in their environment over time.