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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Definition:
"Come to me."Practical uses:
Coming when called is one of the most important and useful commands you can teach your dog. In an emergency, a reliable "come" or recall can save your dog's life, but most of the time it's just convenient to be able to get your...
Definition:
"Lie Down." (We recommend using the cue word "off" rather than "down" for "Get off of me" or for "Get off the bed.")Practical uses:
Down is the best, most comfortable position for your dog to stay in for any length of time. Down (and especially down-stay) is a...
Definition:
"Drop whatever is in your mouth, and I'll give you something even better!"Practical uses:
"Drop it" is useful when your dog picks up something in his mouth that he shouldn't have – your shoe, your child's favorite toy, or a chicken bone, for example. It's also useful for...
Definition:
"Leave whatever you are doing and look at me!"Practical uses:
"Leave it" is useful when you want your dog to stop doing something, whether that is sniffing at someone or something, barking or licking. The dog should immediately stop whatever she is doing and look to you for...
Definition:
Rather than teach the dog to "not" do something, we will ask him to do something he knows how to do that is incompatible with jumping up on you or someone else. You may use "sit" or "touch" or some other behavior as your alternate incompatible behavior. Your dog...
Definition:
"Relax, be calm."Practical uses:
"Settle" should be more relaxed than a "Down-stay" or "Sit-stay"; the dog need not maintain a specific position. You can use it in the waiting room at the veterinarian, or when you are out on a walk and stop to chat with a neighbor....
Definition:
"Sit where you are."Practical uses:
Have your dog sit before you set down his food dish, put on his leash, let him out the door, pet him, etc. This concept is called "say please" and can help to prevent many common problems such as door-darting, jumping up on...
Definition:
"Stay where you are until I return and release you."Practical uses:
Stays are useful when you need your dog to be still while you do something else. They can also help to teach your dog self-control and independence.How to teach:
Start in a quiet place with few...
Definition:
"Watch me, look at my face, and focus on me."Practical uses:
"Watch Me" is a useful behavior when you want to get your dog's focus on you instead of something like another dog, a squirrel, or other temptations.How to teach:
Do something to get your dog's attention–move...Barking is the result of either anxiety or your dog being pre-genetically deposed to barking, like hounds. If you own a breed that is known to bark, then work on teaching your dog the "quiet" command (see below), provide plenty of outlets, and provide toys to keep them busy. Anxiety-related...
Are you unsure whether to have your pet sterilized? Here is some information you should know:
Spaying and neutering helps a pet live a longer, healthier life. It's true! Studies have shown that spayed or neutered pets are less likely to develop reproductive-related health problems. In fact, the earlier in...Escaping is a serious problem for both you and your dog, as it can have tragic consequences. If your dog is running loose, he is in danger of being hit by a car, being injured in a fight with another dog, or being hurt in a number of other ways....
An educated dog is a healthier, happier dog. By training your dog, you will not only strengthen the bond between you and your dog, but build their confidence and reduce any anxiety your dog may be feeling.
An Educated Dog:
- Allows you to handle every part of his body;...
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...
Dogs can be afraid of a lot of different things. A frightened dog might also do a lot of different things when it's afraid. Scared dogs might freeze, or try to run away, to calm down the scary thing, or to scare away the scary thing. Scared dogs might do...