CAT TIP OF THE DAY

Cats love treats! But be sensible. Dispense treats sparingly, one at a time. For added fun and exercise, train your cat to jump for his treats. Many cats learn very quickly to leap and catch the flying morsels in midair. Make sure your cat never samples the following:

• onions, onion powder, or any food containing these
• alcoholic beverages-a big no-no, not even a drop!
• macadamia nuts
• leaves and stems of potatoes and tomatoes
• coffee, tea, coffee beans, and coffee grounds
• chocolate
• hops (ingredient in beer)

A diet consisting entirely of human foods is not a complete or balanced diet for your cat.

Cat Tip served by Go Pets America

PET TIP OF THE DAY

Teaching 'Drop It' Command

If your dog likes to pick up everything from socks at home to cigarette buts on the street, you need to address this behavior. Do not try to rip, pull, or pry his jaws open to retrieve the object. This will make him think that his find is of great interest to you. Instead, leash your dog and take him somewhere where he'll be tempted, or, set him up by hiding a smelly food wrapper in a boot. Then, when he picks up a forbidden item, command 'drop it' and give his leash a sharp jerk, puling him toward you.

When he's done what you've asked, praise him and engage him in his favorite activity. If he doesn't give his find up, spray your finger with Bitter Apple and touch his gum before you issue 'drop it' command.

Pet Tip served by Go Pets America

Basic Training: Jumping

There are many flashy tricks your dog can perform if he learns to jump on command. You must proceed slowly and build his confidence. It is very important that he never finds out that there's an alternative to the jump. The easiest way to start your dog jumping is by placing a board in a door way. Here the situation is set up so that if the dog wants to get from one room to another, he will have to go over the board. He cannot go around it or under it. He cannot find another entrance into that room in the first place--you will.

Jump Through a Hoop

Place you hoop in the doorway. The principle is as follows: the dog may not avoid the hoop to get to you or elsewhere. Each practice session, give him a warm-up with the hoop quite low before you ask him to jump as high as he is able. More

Pet Article served by Go Pets America