Behavior
Your Pet’s Behavioral Health
Dogs
To promote your dog’s behavioral health, consider enjoying training and exercise opportunities together. Quality relationship experiences including playing games, taking walks, and participating in a fun training class will ensure that the direction of your relationship with your dog is terrific. Feel free to get creative and have fun determining what your dog finds thrilling – perhaps chasing tennis balls, playing with you and a special toy, or going for a hike are rewarding activities for your dog. Once you identify your dog’s favorite activity or game, play that game or do that activity together whenever he learns something new – like sitting, lying down, or coming when called. By enjoying activities together, your relationship will be one of mutual trust, companionship, and a whole lot of fun!
In the event that you and your pup face some behavioral questions together, there are several options for the two of you to successfully resolve any concerns. First, many behavior problems may be resolved by simply increasing the amount of exercise or playtime for your dog. It is a common belief that a tired dog is a good dog! Try heading to the dog park in the evening and enjoy watching your dog have a great romp with his buddies, visit a local trail for an outdoor hike on the weekends, or teach your dog to retrieve tennis balls in the backyard. Participation in a training class may also be beneficial for your pet and will provide you with the opportunity to speak with a trainer on a consistent basis. If you would like additional support while working through a concern, behavior counselors can provide individualized training plans and helpful advice for you and your pup. Contact your local animal shelter to locate a qualified behavior counselor in your area. Your pup will thank you for it!
Cats
Your favorite feline friend is trainable too! The key to developing a satisfying and trusting relationship with your cat is to reward desirable behaviors, play together, and set her up for success in your home environment by supplying toys, scratching pads and posts, and a well-placed litter box. By rewarding desirable behaviors with a treat or an opportunity to play with a favorite toy, you can successfully train your cat to use her litter box instead of your bedspread, scratch her special scratching post instead of your carpet, and play without biting or scratching. You can also teach your cat to come when called, accept grooming and nail-clipping, and even live successfully with other cats and dogs in your home!
If you would like additional support with a cat behavior question, feline behavior counselors can create personalized training plans to help introduce your cat to another pet, get her back on track with litter box use, and resolve scratching or biting behaviors. Contact your local animal shelter to locate a qualified feline behavior counselor for support.
Birds
For help with bird behavior, check out Beyond the Bird Basics online class offered by The Gabriel Foundation.
MDSA members offering behavioral help for your pet:
Aurora Animal Shelter
15750 E. 32nd Avenue
Aurora, CO 80011
Ph: 303.326.8280
Cat Care Society
5787 W. 6th Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80214
303.239.9680
Dumb Friends League
2080 S. Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80231-4067
303.751.5772
http://www.ddfl.org/education
Foothills Animal Shelter
580 McIntyre Street
Golden, CO 80401
303.278.7575
www.foothillsanimalshelter.org
Freedom Service Dogs
303.922.6231
www.freedomservicedogs.org
Humane Society of Boulder Valley
2323 55th Street
Boulder, CO 80301
303.442.4030
www.boulderhumane.org
Humane Society of the South Platte Valley
2129 W. Chenango Ave., Unit A
Littleton, CO 80120
303.703.2938
www.hsspv.org
Longmont Humane Society
9595 Nelson Rd.
Longmont, CO 80501
303.772.1232
www.longmonthumane.org
Nikeno’s Second Chances
303.989.7775
www.nscrescue.org