No, using treats in training isn’t bribery — it’s a form of positive reinforcement. You’re rewarding your dog after they do something you want, which helps them learn to repeat that behavior. Bribery would mean showing the treat before they obey to coax them into it.
The definition of “reinforcement” is that the consequence of the behavior makes it more likely that the behavior will happen again. If your dog gets a treat for lying down quietly while you are eating dinner, that will make it more likely that your dog will repeat that behavior in the future. Compare with a human example on the job – your great job on that project resulted in a nice bonus and an invitation to work on more important projects. This wonderful consequence of your hard work means that you are more likely to enthusiastically continue to do great work on future projects.

Treats in training should be used as a tool to increase behavior that you want more often from your dog. Understanding dog behavior better can help you decrease any unwanted behavior by meeting your dog’s needs and creating alternatives. When used correctly, treats are a powerful way to build good habits and a strong bond with your dog.

Generally, retractable leashes aren’t recommended for training or daily walks. They can teach dogs to pull, reduce your control in busy areas, and even cause injuries to both dogs and handlers. In addition, retractable leashes may decrease your dog’s motivation to listen and engage with you, making it more difficult to get or keep your dog’s attention outside. A dog that is less engaged with his or her person outside may result in unwanted leash behavior like barking at other dogs or chasing wildlife critters like bunnies or squirrels.

A standard 6- foot leash gives you better control and helps reinforce good walking habits. I prefer a flat nylon or leather leash that is comfortable on your hands. Retractable leashes might be okay in open, safe areas after your dog has solid leash skills. That said, there are much better tools to use that are more comfortable for both the human and dog than a retractable leash in these kinds of situations.

No! Although there are breed traits that may affect how “game” a dog is to train. That is, some breeds have been specifically designed to work closely with humans and look to them for cues. These tend to be working breeds, such as border collies and German shepherds. Other breeds have been selectively bred to work independently, such as livestock guardian breeds like the Great Pyrenees. Most dogs fit somewhere in between, and it’s essential to note that the individual dog always trumps the generalized breed traits.

When a dog has “game” to train, it can also mean that your dog is more easily bored and is more likely to look for entertainment from people and other animals in their environment. It may seem like a great idea to get a Belgian Malinois because they are “more trainable,” for example, but that dog is also more likely to need you to prioritize lots of mental enrichment, advanced training, and exercise that many busy dog owners are not able to provide. Also of note, if you plan on your dog being a family pet, you may want to reconsider getting a working breed from a working line because chances are that they have been selectively bred for traits that don’t easily and quietly fit into the lifestyles of most families.

Nearly every dog enjoys learning and the interaction that training provides for their mental enrichment and their bond with their people. If you are having difficulty training your dog, it may be that the training protocols need to be more effectively tweaked to fit your individual dog’s learning style and your particular training goals. Instead of wiping away possibility by categorizing your dog as “stubborn” or “impossible to train,” connect with a qualified and certified positive reinforcement only trainer.

Right now! It’s never too early to start working your puppy’s brain and developing your bond together. Your puppy is busy learning from the time it is born, so this is also a great time to gently guide that training so that your puppy can more easily learn about you, your home, your life, your family, and all the expectations that go with those. For example, it’s much easier to teach a young puppy not to get on the couch or go into the basement before there’s even a chance to do that.

Getting started with some positive reinforcement training can also teach your puppy to trust you by regularly working through the process of listening to you, performing the cued behavior, and having a positive outcome. This creates value in engaging with you consistently and paying attention to what you are doing and saying. It also develops a positive feedback loop that your puppy has effective control over consequences – that is, your puppy learns that when you say “Sit” and your puppy chooses to sit in response, that that results in a predictable good consequence.

Remember, though, that puppies are new learners and, therefore, “fragile packages” that must be treated with respect and care. If you are rough, unpredictable, or unclear with your puppy, you may end up teaching your dog that there are things much more important than listening to you, however unintentionally. Puppies require a lot of patience and understanding! If you are struggling, be sure to find a credentialed positive reinforcement trainer to help you.

Counter surfing refers to the behavior of dogs taking food or other items from counters or tables. As natural scavengers, dogs are often motivated to search for food wherever they can find it, making counter surfing a common issue for many pet guardians. While it may seem harmless at first, this behavior can become dangerous if a dog ingests something toxic or swallows an item that could cause an intestinal blockage – or your Thanksgiving turkey!

One of the best ways to prevent or address counter surfing is through effective management. Management involves setting up the environment in a way that prevents unwanted behavior from occurring. Since behaviors that are rewarded tend to repeat, it’s essential to limit a dog’s access to food or interesting items on counters and tables. Keep surfaces clear by putting things away or placing them far from the edge. Use tools like baby gates or x-pens to block access to problem areas when you’re not actively training. Reducing opportunities to counter surf helps prevent the behavior from being reinforced and becoming a habit.

Counter surfing is often self-rewarding—when a dog succeeds in grabbing something, they’re instantly reinforced. Punishment methods such as yelling or using spray bottles are not recommended, as they can harm your relationship with your dog and may lead to confusion or fear. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement by teaching alternative behaviors, such as having your dog station on a mat or keeping all four paws on the floor. Rewarding these choices consistently helps redirect their energy in a more appropriate and rewarding way.

It is indeed possible for an impactful learning experience to occur from a single event, particularly if the experience is intense or emotionally charged. Additionally, it’s important to recognize that negative learning experiences are often more context-driven and typically form stronger associations in the animal’s memory.

Like many animals, cats don’t simply learn isolated actions or events—they tend to learn the entire context surrounding an experience. This can include the environment, people involved, scents, and equipment, which are then associated with the negative emotional response.

Here are a few practical tips for improving future visits to your vet and nail trims:

  • Advocate for Your Pet at the Vet Office: Use a crate with a removable top and train your cat to enter it voluntarily. At the vet’s office, the top of the crate can be removed, eliminating the need for the cat to be pulled out or even dumped, albeit as gently as possible. When transporting the crate, it’s best to lift it from underneath with both hands, rather than by the handle, as this offers more stability and is generally less jarring for your cat. Additionally, consider scheduling ‘happy visits’ to the vet, where no procedures are done—just positive, non-threatening interactions to help your cat become more comfortable with the environment, the staff, and the equipment.
  • Acclimate to Handling for Nail Trims: Begin by helping your cat get used to the handling required for nail trims. The more familiar your cat becomes with this process, the less likely it will be perceived as stressful.
  • Work Up to Self-Trimming: If possible, plan to gradually work up to trimming your cat’s nails yourself. This allows for shorter, more frequent sessions that your cat may find less stressful than an infrequent, longer procedure at the vet’s office. Moreover, this practice may allow you more control over the environment and pace, as veterinary staff are often busy and may rush through nail trims due to time constraints.
  • Use a Quiet Nail Grinder: If possible, opt for a quiet nail grinder instead of traditional nail grinders or clippers. The sound of most nail grinders can be very loud for animals with such acute hearing and immensely unsettling for cats. Most nail clippers crush the nail, which can cause micro-fractures and be painful, even when the quick isn’t hit.
  • Take Your Time: It’s important to approach these activities at your cat’s pace. Rushing through the process may increase stress and hinder progress.
  • Consider Professional Help: If you find that you’re struggling to make progress on your own, a local cat behavior consultant could be an excellent resource to guide you through tailored strategies that meet your cat’s specific needs.
I hope these suggestions help you and your cat navigate the vet and nail trim experiences with less stress. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help!

No, using treats in training isn’t bribery — it’s a form of positive reinforcement. You’re rewarding your dog after they do something you want, which helps them learn to repeat that behavior. Bribery would mean showing the treat before they obey to coax them into it.
The definition of “reinforcement” is that the consequence of the behavior makes it more likely that the behavior will happen again. If your dog gets a treat for lying down quietly while you are eating dinner, that will make it more likely that your dog will repeat that behavior in the future. Compare with a human example on the job – your great job on that project resulted in a nice bonus and an invitation to work on more important projects. This wonderful consequence of your hard work means that you are more likely to enthusiastically continue to do great work on future projects.

Treats in training should be used as a tool to increase behavior that you want more often from your dog. Understanding dog behavior better can help you decrease any unwanted behavior by meeting your dog’s needs and creating alternatives. When used correctly, treats are a powerful way to build good habits and a strong bond with your dog.

Generally, retractable leashes aren’t recommended for training or daily walks. They can teach dogs to pull, reduce your control in busy areas, and even cause injuries to both dogs and handlers. In addition, retractable leashes may decrease your dog’s motivation to listen and engage with you, making it more difficult to get or keep your dog’s attention outside. A dog that is less engaged with his or her person outside may result in unwanted leash behavior like barking at other dogs or chasing wildlife critters like bunnies or squirrels.

A standard 6- foot leash gives you better control and helps reinforce good walking habits. I prefer a flat nylon or leather leash that is comfortable on your hands. Retractable leashes might be okay in open, safe areas after your dog has solid leash skills. That said, there are much better tools to use that are more comfortable for both the human and dog than a retractable leash in these kinds of situations.

No! Although there are breed traits that may affect how “game” a dog is to train. That is, some breeds have been specifically designed to work closely with humans and look to them for cues. These tend to be working breeds, such as border collies and German shepherds. Other breeds have been selectively bred to work independently, such as livestock guardian breeds like the Great Pyrenees. Most dogs fit somewhere in between, and it’s essential to note that the individual dog always trumps the generalized breed traits.

When a dog has “game” to train, it can also mean that your dog is more easily bored and is more likely to look for entertainment from people and other animals in their environment. It may seem like a great idea to get a Belgian Malinois because they are “more trainable,” for example, but that dog is also more likely to need you to prioritize lots of mental enrichment, advanced training, and exercise that many busy dog owners are not able to provide. Also of note, if you plan on your dog being a family pet, you may want to reconsider getting a working breed from a working line because chances are that they have been selectively bred for traits that don’t easily and quietly fit into the lifestyles of most families.

Nearly every dog enjoys learning and the interaction that training provides for their mental enrichment and their bond with their people. If you are having difficulty training your dog, it may be that the training protocols need to be more effectively tweaked to fit your individual dog’s learning style and your particular training goals. Instead of wiping away possibility by categorizing your dog as “stubborn” or “impossible to train,” connect with a qualified and certified positive reinforcement only trainer.

Right now! It’s never too early to start working your puppy’s brain and developing your bond together. Your puppy is busy learning from the time it is born, so this is also a great time to gently guide that training so that your puppy can more easily learn about you, your home, your life, your family, and all the expectations that go with those. For example, it’s much easier to teach a young puppy not to get on the couch or go into the basement before there’s even a chance to do that.

Getting started with some positive reinforcement training can also teach your puppy to trust you by regularly working through the process of listening to you, performing the cued behavior, and having a positive outcome. This creates value in engaging with you consistently and paying attention to what you are doing and saying. It also develops a positive feedback loop that your puppy has effective control over consequences – that is, your puppy learns that when you say “Sit” and your puppy chooses to sit in response, that that results in a predictable good consequence.

Remember, though, that puppies are new learners and, therefore, “fragile packages” that must be treated with respect and care. If you are rough, unpredictable, or unclear with your puppy, you may end up teaching your dog that there are things much more important than listening to you, however unintentionally. Puppies require a lot of patience and understanding! If you are struggling, be sure to find a credentialed positive reinforcement trainer to help you.

Counter surfing refers to the behavior of dogs taking food or other items from counters or tables. As natural scavengers, dogs are often motivated to search for food wherever they can find it, making counter surfing a common issue for many pet guardians. While it may seem harmless at first, this behavior can become dangerous if a dog ingests something toxic or swallows an item that could cause an intestinal blockage – or your Thanksgiving turkey!

One of the best ways to prevent or address counter surfing is through effective management. Management involves setting up the environment in a way that prevents unwanted behavior from occurring. Since behaviors that are rewarded tend to repeat, it’s essential to limit a dog’s access to food or interesting items on counters and tables. Keep surfaces clear by putting things away or placing them far from the edge. Use tools like baby gates or x-pens to block access to problem areas when you’re not actively training. Reducing opportunities to counter surf helps prevent the behavior from being reinforced and becoming a habit.

Counter surfing is often self-rewarding—when a dog succeeds in grabbing something, they’re instantly reinforced. Punishment methods such as yelling or using spray bottles are not recommended, as they can harm your relationship with your dog and may lead to confusion or fear. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement by teaching alternative behaviors, such as having your dog station on a mat or keeping all four paws on the floor. Rewarding these choices consistently helps redirect their energy in a more appropriate and rewarding way.

It is indeed possible for an impactful learning experience to occur from a single event, particularly if the experience is intense or emotionally charged. Additionally, it’s important to recognize that negative learning experiences are often more context-driven and typically form stronger associations in the animal’s memory.

Like many animals, cats don’t simply learn isolated actions or events—they tend to learn the entire context surrounding an experience. This can include the environment, people involved, scents, and equipment, which are then associated with the negative emotional response.

Here are a few practical tips for improving future visits to your vet and nail trims:

  • Advocate for Your Pet at the Vet Office: Use a crate with a removable top and train your cat to enter it voluntarily. At the vet’s office, the top of the crate can be removed, eliminating the need for the cat to be pulled out or even dumped, albeit as gently as possible. When transporting the crate, it’s best to lift it from underneath with both hands, rather than by the handle, as this offers more stability and is generally less jarring for your cat. Additionally, consider scheduling ‘happy visits’ to the vet, where no procedures are done—just positive, non-threatening interactions to help your cat become more comfortable with the environment, the staff, and the equipment.
  • Acclimate to Handling for Nail Trims: Begin by helping your cat get used to the handling required for nail trims. The more familiar your cat becomes with this process, the less likely it will be perceived as stressful.
  • Work Up to Self-Trimming: If possible, plan to gradually work up to trimming your cat’s nails yourself. This allows for shorter, more frequent sessions that your cat may find less stressful than an infrequent, longer procedure at the vet’s office. Moreover, this practice may allow you more control over the environment and pace, as veterinary staff are often busy and may rush through nail trims due to time constraints.
  • Use a Quiet Nail Grinder: If possible, opt for a quiet nail grinder instead of traditional nail grinders or clippers. The sound of most nail grinders can be very loud for animals with such acute hearing and immensely unsettling for cats. Most nail clippers crush the nail, which can cause micro-fractures and be painful, even when the quick isn’t hit.
  • Take Your Time: It’s important to approach these activities at your cat’s pace. Rushing through the process may increase stress and hinder progress.
  • Consider Professional Help: If you find that you’re struggling to make progress on your own, a local cat behavior consultant could be an excellent resource to guide you through tailored strategies that meet your cat’s specific needs.
I hope these suggestions help you and your cat navigate the vet and nail trim experiences with less stress. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help!