Posted: Sunday, June 10, 2007 12:00 am
From time to time, readers send me their questions about pet care.
Although I am not a veterinarian or an animal behavior expert, I do answer those queries that don't involve a major health or behavior issue. Please send your questions to me using the contact information at the bottom of this column. Although I will try, I cannot guarantee a personal response to every question, but look for answers to appear in future columns.
Question: What is clicker training? Can it help my dog?
Answer: Clicker training is a form of positive reinforcement that rewards your dog for doing what you want it to do. The "clicker" is anything that makes a distinctive noise; commercially sold clickers sound like a louder version of a ballpoint pen. The idea is that you use the clicking noise to signal to your pet at the exact moment when it does the desired behavior - faster than you can use verbal praise or reinforcement. Then, you follow up the noise with a tasty treat.
Soon, the dog learns to associate the sound with the treat and can better understand the exact behavior you're rewarding. In psychology, this is known as "operant conditioning" - an animal repeats behavior that results in a positive outcome.
Start clicker training by "loading the clicker." This is a process where you click and treat, click and treat - until the animal clearly associates the sound of the click with the treat. Use a really great treat when you do this - I like tiny bits of mozzarella cheese. Once the pet understands the click is a good thing, you can start clicking and treating for desired behavior. It's fun to watch the dog go through the stages of understanding what you're trying to do.
You can teach any animal to repeat a desired behavior through clicker training - it's not just dogs who understand it. I know people with clicker-trained rabbits who run miniature versions of agility courses, for instance. I've even been told about a goldfish clicker-trained to swim through a hoop!
There are multiple resources if you want to learn more about clicker training. Locally, I've worked with Corvallis trainer Anne Minnich to understand more about how clickers work (she can be contacted via email at annellama@yahoo
.com); There are other positive trainers in the Mid-Valley who can be of help. I also like much of what author and behavioralist Karen Pryor has to say. Pryor also has a website at clickertraining.com. Also, check clickerlessons.com for more information or search for "clicker training" online.
Q: What lawn care products can I safely use on my yard? My dog likes to spend a lot of time outside and I don't want him to get sick.
A: Any time you can use a natural product instead of a chemical one, try to do so for your pet's and your family's health. For example, use beneficial nematodes to rid your yard of pest insects or ladybugs to destroy aphids. Try an iron phosphate-based product to kill slugs instead of one that contains metaldehyde, or use beer or coffee in small troughs to discourage slugs around your prized plants. White vinegar can be sprayed on weeds to stop their growth. The list goes on - check at your favorite garden center for more ideas.
If you do use chemicals, keep your pets off the treated area until it dries, or as long as the product's directions recommend. If you can fence off or put a barrier around the treated areas, that will keep other animals away. With many products, you should water them in - don't skip this step as it will help break down the chemicals.
Q: I know that keeping my cat indoors is the safest thing to do.
Problem is, he wants to be outside and goes crazy if I try to keep him in. I've tried everything and it's just not worth it. What can I do to increase his safety and that of the birds when he is outdoors?
A: It can be very hard to convince a cat that has been outdoors that he would like to be exclusively indoors. Some of the dangers of outdoor living include run-ins with other cats, attacks by dogs and wild animals, being hit by a car, torment from abusive humans - the list goes on.
But there are some things you can do to make it safer for your cat.
First thing is, make sure your cat is spayed or neutered. Altered cats roam less, and obviously can't be contributing to the overpopulation problem.
Second, put identification on your cat. I recommend a harness rather than a collar; it's hard for cats to slip out of a harness or get it caught on something and strangle. Put an ID tag with the cat's name and your phone number. If you suspect your cat is hunting birds, some bells may help alert the birds; many cats are smart enough to move in a way that doesn't make the bells or tags jingle, though. A microchip is an excellent idea in case your cat wanders far from home.
You should work to keep your cat indoors at night, and only let it out during daylight hours.
Jennifer Gardner can be reached at jennifer
@visualpeople.com or
write c/o The Gazette-Times.