Many dog owners struggle with their pets’ bad habits, but do not want to punish them. Differential reinforcement offers another option.
How to replace dogs’ problem behaviors using differential reinforcement
Many dog owners struggle with their companions’ problem behaviors, but do not like the idea of punishing their pets. Fortunately for pet parents, differential reinforcement swaps bad behaviors for better ones without the need to scold your four-legged friend.
Differential reinforcement is a complex name for a relatively simple concept: By replacing problem behaviors with more desirable actions, you can reduce bad behaviors in pets. This is done through positive reinforcement of incompatible behaviors, or actions that cannot take place at the same time as the undesired habit. By rewarding the more desirable action, you make it easy for your pet to choose the preferable behavior, reducing bad habits without ever needing to punish your pet.
To start differential reinforcement of other behavior, it is crucial to pick a replacement behavior that cannot take place at the same time as the unwanted habit. For example, if your dog is prone to jumping on guests as they enter your home, you may choose the “sit” command as your alternative. Start your pet’s practice in a quiet spot with very few distractions and no other people. As he begins to master the alternative commend in this setting, slowly add distractions to his training. You can do this by practicing in your backyard, during walks, and even in a dog park. Eventually, when you feel confident Fido has mastered the command, you can practice in the scenario that triggers his problem behavior.
Begin this phase of training with your dog on a leash to help maintain control over the environment, as allowing him to continue a problem behavior only reinforces the habit. Likewise, even negative attention such as scolding can be a reward to some pets, so avoid reinforcing any unwanted actions as much as possible. In the example above, this means asking guests to turn away and not acknowledge your pet if he begins to jump on them. Instead, ask your dog to sit and as soon as he performs the command, reward him with treats, praise and attention. This will be especially effective if you use high-value treats such as meat or cheese during the early stages of training.
As with any training, practice makes perfect. It is common to experience setbacks as you introduce the alternative behavior in trigger situations, so be patient with your pet. It may take more than a few attempts to achieve the desired outcome, so do not push your pet too hard during any given training session, as you and your dog will both lose focus and become frustrated. Over time, your companion should learn to seek the reward rather than repeat bad habits, replacing problem behaviors with more desirable actions.
Indoor cats live longer lives, but are more prone to pack on extra weight. Here are a few tips to help keep Kitty lose weight gradually.
How to help your cat lose weight
Keeping your cat indoors can help him live a longer life, but housecats are prone to a more sedentary lifestyle that can lead to problems with weight gain. To help keep Kitty a healthy weight, you may need to reconsider his diet by and lifestyle by providing him with nutrient-rich food, carefully considered portions, and interactive toys to inspire activity and play.
Before ever starting a weight-loss program for your pet, talk to your veterinarian about establishing a plan that supports healthy dieting and avoids severe food restrictions. Rapid weight loss can cause a serious disease in cats called known as fatty liver disease, so this is a not a step you should skip when putting your cat on a weight-loss program. Once your veterinarian has approved a plan, you can begin working towards achieving a healthy weight for your pet. What “healthy” means is unique to each animal, but you can use your pet’s body to establish a good baseline for your companion. Objective measures of a cat’s body condition are based on observable features, such as whether you can see his ribs and a distinct waistline, and how easily you can feel your pet’s bone structure. At a healthy weight, you should be able to see your cat’s waist behind his ribs; feel, but not see, his ribs; and observe a small pouch of fat on his stomach.
Cats should never lose more than 2 percent of their body weight in a week, so shedding excess body mass should be a gradual process. While your veterinarian can assist in calculating calorie goals and a feeding schedule to help Kitty achieve a healthy weight, you can try your hand at helping him lose weight through small changes such as modifications to his food type. For example, a diet high in fiber and low in fat can help your pet feel fuller longer by allowing him to consume more volume of food without excess calories. Likewise, a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet can help your pet feel fuller longer and contribute to weight loss. Choosing wet foods with more water content will help with weight loss by increasing the volume of Kitty’s portions without contributing calories.
In addition to feeding your pet nutrient-rich food in controlled portions, you can help him lose weight gradually by supporting a more active lifestyle. Though living indoors increases cats’ life expectancies and protects wildlife such as birds that serve as prey for outdoor pets, housecats are less active and are prone to packing on extra weight. You can help your pet become more active by using toys such as laser pointers or fishing pole to play with your pet; giving him a puzzle feeder to challenge both his body and mind; or providing him with more vertical spaces for jumping and climbing, such as a cat trees and perches in windowsills. Combined with a healthy diet and portions, this can help your pet shed unhealthy weight in a controlled way.
Dogs have different needs at different ages and for many, this includes new considerations as they lose hearing in their senior years.
Tips to help senior dogs with hearing loss
We all want our pets to live well into their senior years, but conditions can develop in dogs’ older age that require special considerations. Most dogs experience at least some degree of hearing loss as they age, but you can help your companion adjust with a few simple changes to his daily routine.
Age is the most common cause of hearing loss in dogs. While age-related deafness cannot be cured without surgery, other causes of hearing loss include infections or foreign bodies lodged in the ear canal and can be treated. When you begin to notice your pet is struggling with hearing, take him to the veterinarian to rule out any curable conditions such as these. Many owners are unaware that their pet is losing his ability to hear until more advanced stages of hearing loss, so be watch for signs that your companion is unable to hear as he begins to age.
After ruling out temporary causes behind Fido’s hearing loss, you can begin to take steps to help him adjust to life with limited aural abilities. If you did not train your pet using hand signals from an early age, begin using non-verbal cues to communicate commands. It is best to begin this sort of visual training from a young age so your pet is already well-versed in these commands before any loss of hearing occurs, but older pets are often very capable of learning new cues. To get your dog’s attention when he is no longer able to hear your calls, use actions such as hand clapping, stomping your foot on the floor, or other vibration-creating behaviors that alert him to your presence. You can also get creative by using a flashlight, opening a bag of tasty-smelling treats, or other non-auditory methods to get Fido’s attention. When teaching your pet to respond to new signals, use plenty of positive reinforcement in the form of praise, pats, treats any playtime.
Another way to help your pet adjust to diminished hearing to be be conscious of his changing conditions. Only approach him within his field of vision or use a gentle touch to avoid startling him. You can even try using the odor from a tasty bag of treats to help rouse him from a nap. You should also take added precautions to keep your dog safe when he is unable to hear environmental noises. Fence in your yard or keep your pet on a leash when he is outdoors to help him avoid oncoming traffic and other hazards. You can also enrich your pet’s life by increasing smell-related activities, such as teaching him nosework games and allowing him time to stop and sniff when you are in the yard or on walks.
Dogs have a tremendous ability to adapt to hearing loss. When one sense weakens, the others tend to become stronger to compensate, so providing him with plenty of smell-centered activities to continue engaging your pet. With a few daily adjustments, you can improve your pet’s quality of life even as he adjusted to age-related deafness.
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