Pet Resource Center
Getting help for your pet
Regardless of your dog or cat's behavior, we offer several free options to help!
Our team of behavior specialists provides enrichment, daily training, and when necessary, additional behavior support to pets in our shelters so that they become the best possible candidates for adoption.
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What stresses your pet? A trip to the veterinarian? Overnight guests? Thunder and firecrackers? Leaving him alone? Clipping his toenails? Stress and anxiety often cause behavior problems in our pets. Stressed-out cats may have litter-box problems or begin fighting with other pets. Anxious dogs may be destructive, escape, urine mark,...
The Downtown Animal Care Center
Phone: 303.595.3561 downtownanimalcarecenter.com A for-profit veterinary hospital which provides low-cost veterinarian care to the general public. The Center works in conjunction with the Downtown Animal Care Foundation, which provides funding in the form of matching funds and grants to assist low...Has your pet urinated or defecated in your house, leaving "scent marks" on your floor or furniture? To keep your pet from continuing to eliminate in these areas of your house, you will need to thoroughly clean the soiled areas.
- Find all soiled areas using your nose and eyes....
Definition:
The cat comes when called, touching his nose to person's hand or comes close enough to rub on the person.How to Teach:
Come: To teach come, first teach your cat to target (see our handout: "Teaching Your Cat To Target"). Once your cat stretches he's neck to touch...
Definition:
Lying downHow to Teach:
Down: The easiest way to teach this behavior is to catch the cat in the act. He will lie down when he feels comfortable. Watch for him to lie down, then click and treat. Deliver the treat so that he must get up to...
Definition:
Cat touches one of his front paws to your hand.How to Teach:
High Five: Sit or squat next to or in front of the cat. Hold your hand flat and in front of the cat, within paws reach. When he lifts one leg off the ground, click and...
Definition:
Cat stands on his rear legs reaching for the sky with his front legs.How to Teach:
Paws: Stand or sit next to or in front of the cat, holding your clicker and treats. If you have treats that the cat wants, then the cat will wait for you...
Definition:
From lying position cat will roll onto his back, then continue, and stop when his belly is touching the ground.How to Teach:
Rollover: First have the cat lie down. Because the rollover behavior is lead with his head, you will click and treat (C/T) any movement of his...
Definition:
The cat's hind end is touching the groundHow to Teach:
Sit: Stand or sit next to or in front of the cat, holding your clicker and treats. If you have treats that he wants, then the cat will wait for you to give him one. While he is...
Definition:
Cat will be sitting with his front paws in the air, as if beggingHow to Teach:
After you have taught your cat to sit, you can then move to "Sit Pretty." Your cat will sit when he is waiting for the clicker and treat. If you wait (up...
Definition:
The cat touches its nose to an objectHow to Teach:
Target: Almost all cats will sniff an object placed near their face. Choose an object such as a target stick, spoon or dowel. Every time the cat touches the object with his nose, click and treat. Start by...
How to Teach:
First you'll need to familiarize your cat with wearing a harness (see handout "Teaching Your Cat to Wear a Harness"). Your cat should be comfortable wearing a harness for 10 to 15 minutes before starting to work on leash training.Getting Used to the Leash:
Start in...When cats feel threatened, they usually respond in three ways to the object, person, or situation they perceive as a threat: fight, flee, or freeze. Some cats become so frightened they lose control of their bladder or bowels and eliminate right where they are. Each cat has his/her preferred way...
Is your cat more independent than you would like? Is your cat affectionate but only pays attention to you when he decides? A common misperception about cats is that they aren't affectionate, or only give affection on their terms. Another misperception is that you can't train a cat–but you can!...
Cat owners sometimes have difficulty understanding why their cats, who seem to be friendly and content one minute, may suddenly bite and scratch them the next. Aggressive behaviors are part of the normal behavioral patterns of almost any animal species. Cat bites are seldom reported, but may occur more frequently...