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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The signs of spring are everywhere, which means it's high time to start working with your horse before you begin riding. Any work is better than no work, and it will help your horse get in shape physically and mentally.
Play-motivated aggressive behaviors are common in young, active cats less than two years of age, and in cats that live in one-cat households who don't have enough mental and physical stimulation. When cats play, they incorporate a variety of behaviors into their play, such as exploratory, investigative, and predatory behaviors....
Cats are territorial animals, selecting areas of territory for survival. They let other people and animals know about their territory by marking it with a variety of methods and at many levels of intensity. For example, a cat may mark a valued object by rubbing it with her face. However...
Urine-marking occurs when there is either instability in a dog's relationships or when a dog is feeling anxious. It is not a house soiling problem. To resolve the problem, you need to address the underlying reason for your dog's need to mark.
House Soiling or Urine Marking? How to Tell...
Mice are small, social animals. They're quiet, but very active and entertaining to watch. Because of their high-activity level and quick movements, care needs to be taken when handling.
Home Sweet Home
Your mouse needs a cage that is at least 18 inches long by 12 inches wide and 12...by Brent Winston, equine trainer With summer officially behind us, I hope everyone enjoyed the nice weather and long days with their horses as much as I did. Just because we have entered a different time of year doesn't mean we can't still enjoy our horses. We might just need...
Does your cat demand to be petted or played with? Ignore you when you call him? Wake you up to be fed in the middle of the night? "Nothing in life is free" (NILIF) can help. NILIF is not a magic pill that will solve a specific behavior problem; rather...
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. While overstimulation isn't aggression, the response may appear aggressive. Cat owners however can find some relief, knowing that this behavior is normal and is...
by Brent Winston, head trainer People often ask me about a training issue they're having with their horse or wonder how to get their horse to perform a certain task. Without being able to see the horse or coach the rider through the task, it can be difficult to answer....
While pet owners would never consider withholding food or water from their cats, many forget to provide adequate exercise and stimulation. Yes, cats do sleep a lot, but play is an important component of any pet's health and well-being. The release of energy triggered by regular daily interactive play sessions...
by Brent Winston, equine trainer Wow, what a start to the year! With the unseasonably warm weather and longer days, many of us are getting the urge to take our horses out and ride through the beautiful Colorado landscape. However, many of our horses have been not doing much all...
Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior. It makes that behavior more likely to occur in the future, and it is a powerful tool for shaping or changing your cat's behavior. Correct timing is essential when using positive reinforcement. The reward must occur...
The arrival of your new family member will bring changes for everyone. Handling your pet's curiosity, anxiety, and increased insistence for attention may seem like an overwhelming task. In addition to preparing yourself and your household for the baby's arrival, but you can help your pet adjust to the big...
Conditioning your dog to the clicker:
Work with your dog in several short sessions over the course of about two days. Click (once) and give your dog a treat. Repeat 10 to 12 times. Make sure you vary the amount of time between clicks and that both you and your...
- Never leave your pet in a parked car. Even cracked windows won't protect your pet from overheating or suffering from heat stroke during hot summer days.
- Exercise your dog in the early morning or evening hours, instead of during the middle of the day when it's hottest.
- If your...