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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Learn how to gently integrate a cat that's come from an under socialized situation into your house and life.
Dogs that come from hoarding situations may have never lived with people. Learn what to expect, how to handle them and how to best ease them into their new living situation.
If you allow your cat to wander around outside on her own, without your supervision, she is susceptible to any of the following tragedies:
- Being hit by a car
- Ingesting a deadly poison, like antifreeze or pesticide
- Being trapped by a unhappy neighbor or picked up by animal control ...
Living with a cat can be beneficial to children. Cats can enhance a child's self-esteem, teach them responsibility and help them to learn empathy.
Selecting a Cat
Under 2 years of age
- Time and energy: Require a lot of time, patience and supervision.
- Safety: May become frightened or even...
Well-socialized cats are more likely to have well-socialized kittens. Kittens "feed" off of their mothers' calm or fearful attitude toward people. Although feeding time is important, it's also vital to include petting, talking, and playing in order to build good "people-skills" in your kitten. Kittens are usually weaned at six...
Although feeding time is important, it's also vital to include petting, talking, and playing, in order to help your puppy build good "people-skills." Well-socialized mothers are more likely to have well-socialized puppies. Puppies "feed" off their mothers' calm or fearful attitude toward people. Puppies are usually weaned at six or...
Fearful Urination
Fearful urination occurs when a dog feels threatened. It may occur when he's being punished or verbally scolded, or when he's approached by someone he perceives to be threatening to him. It's important to remember that this response is based on the dog's perception of a threat, not...by Brent Winston, equine trainer As winter began and the busy part of riding season came to an end, a lot of folks started calling Harmony to recap their rides or ask for advice on issues that had come up for their horses over the summer. One of most common...
Firework and thunder season are almost here. It's so difficult to watch our beloved pups suffer from noise phobias. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to help your canine companion cope: Prepare: First, keep your dog indoors and stay home with him, when possible. A panicked dog will...
It is easier to train rabbits if you understand that their behavior is usually motivated by one of three things:
- Their natural need and inclination to chew and dig
- Their need to communicate and our tendency to require words for understanding communication
- The social structure as seen...
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...
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...
A training tether is a temporary management tool that can be used to prevent behavior problems or assist in resolving an existing problem. The idea is to tether your dog in the places where your family spends time, such as the kitchen, the TV room, or the bedroom, so he...
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...