#domorewithyourcat

[behaviornerdwithahat]

I think she likes Cavalettis! #cavaletti #domorewithyourcat #mine #pebbletheadventurecat https://www.instagram.com/p/CF2x-H_ngIB/?igshid=g35qkkn46p9v

[behaviornerdwithahat]

#domorewithyourcat #adventurecats #pebble #pebbletheadventurecat https://www.instagram.com/p/CDFeyS0l-4x/?igshid=1a0gpdnlatybm

[behaviornerdwithahat]

View this post on Instagram

Shake! #domorewithyourcat #pebble #pebbletheadventurecat #adventurecats https://www.instagram.com/p/CDAcEkABjSP/?igshid=ick3ofpdumiv

[companionanimalhouse]

Behavior experts say that cats in the wild spend 80% of their waking hours hunting for food. Hunting for food is normal cat behavior, and the freedom to express normal behavior is a big pillar of good welfare. So how much time does your cat spend hunting for food? . . An easy way to increase your cat’s hunting time is with food puzzles. While there’s an increasingly big market of cat puzzles (check out @petstages and @trixie.de to start!), you might be able to find ideas in your recycling bin! . . The first video is Bear foraging for food in a small box with packaging paper. The second video is Bear fishing food out of an egg carton. . If your cat has never eaten this way, he may need some assistance to get started. Always make puzzle toys fun - not frustrating! Be mindful of what your cat may ingest when using cardboard or plastic items. #domorewithyourcat #catdiyenrichment #catenrichment #catpuzzles #catdiy #catdiyprojects #catsofinstagram #cat #blackcatsrule #oldcatsrule #trainyourcat #adventurecat #catbehavior #catwelfare https://www.instagram.com/p/CCbOtCqJFgh/?igshid=1xxyy2pz42zud

[companionanimalhouse]

Spring is here and so is feline door dashing! Both of my cats stay indoors primarily, with carefully supervised excursions outside in our fenced yard - and, as leash training permits, for bigger adventures (so inspired by @adventurecatsorg 😍). Naturally, door dashing by Sophie and Bear has ensued. . I saw “naturally” because 1) my cats love being outside and 2) every time they door dash, they get reinforced by, yes, being outside. That’s why they do it: it’s a “self-reinforcing” behavior. They’re not being naughty or spiteful or whatever. . Since I don’t want to be chasing down my feline friends every time I let my dogs in or out for a potty break, I’m teaching my cats clear rules about how they can access the reinforcement of being outside. First, I want the cats to station on these cat shelves when I open the door to let the dog out. So when I let the dog out, I always put treats (aka Bear’s kibble because of his IBD Issues) on the top shelves and encourage the cats up there. They are already making the association that: dog going outside = get up on the shelves for treats! . The second part of this training is to very deliberately pair a cue to letting whichever cat outside. “Okay, Bear, let’s go outside!” comes naturally enough and it’s working! Cats a very smart and they will pick up on this type of association very quickly in my experience. . That’s it! How to “stop” your pet from doing something - Part 1: teach an alternative behavior and reinforce it with a more powerful reinforcer (bonus points if this behavior serves the same function as the undesirable behavior!) and Part 2: give a clear cue when reinforcement is available for the undesirable behavior (if applicable). . #cattraining #domorewithyourcat #catbehavior #catsofinstagram #cats #positivereinforcementworks #forcefree #trainwithoutpain #cattrainer #dogtrainer #pettrainer #dc https://www.instagram.com/p/B_oHse8JDCa/?igshid=oxkaug3y8zh4

[dogfirstsmallsecond]

I've been using lockdown to practice Cadvan's arousal off switch. We do something gets him really amped up (in this video flirt pole with a rabbit hide, tonight we played bitey faces), and then I do flirt pole with Moril and expect Cad to ignore the thing he would otherwise chase. Rewards are kibble flicked his way, with sniffing for the kibble an outside bonus. I've put a filter on so you can more clearly see what Cad's doing, and yes I did accidentally whack him on the bum in the second clip 😂 With our #scentforsix homework and this in quick succession, he's now fast asleep on the armchair! #flirtpole #catenrichment #playwithyourcat #domorewithyourcat #purrsinourhearts #rewardbased #impulsecontrol #snackfeedernotpackleader #snackleadernotpackleader https://www.instagram.com/p/B_nmowLllYp/?igshid=1idrcyaye3uvd

[companionanimalhouse]

When a pet isn’t doing something you’re expecting them to do, it is SO frequently helpful to consider: is this too hard? If you don’t parallel park frequently and are trying to do so in a semi-small space, you give up pretty quickly, right? That is what animal trainers would say is frustration leading to behavior extinction. . . So Sophie wasn’t playing with her food toys. We’d shut her in our bedroom to eat only to come back ten minutes later to find a full puzzle and a very patient cat. This is odd because all animals are food motivated and she “knows” how to use the toys (that is, she’s used them in the last). . . Not really sure what the catalyst for this behavior change was, but I decided to try making her toys easier. For this one, I just put it on top of surface with more grip (a dog bed) and here she is, going to town. 😎 . .#domorewithyourcat #cattraining #cattoys #fishbowl #catbehavior #cattrainer #positivereinforcement #animallearning #catlearning #forcefree #animalbehavior #cat #catsofinstagram #catto https://www.instagram.com/p/B_V4Z0epwaX/?igshid=1akq21bhzmw09

[companionanimalhouse]

Here’s me, the idiot, just now figuring out the DIY agility I made for the dogs is also great for my kittehs! I know I am biased but is this not the most adorable cat?! #domorewithyourcat #adventurecat #agilitycat #cutestcatalive #positivereforcement #cattraining #cattrainer #adoptdontshop #rescuecat https://www.instagram.com/p/B-VGuEJp0fJ/?igshid=9ql8i6p7ezd7