You just brought home a new furry friend, and the experience isn’t as full of the warm and fuzzies as you expected. The new arrival is ripping up furniture, making your rug their personal toilet, rearranging your countertop, and generally creating chaos. You might be tempted to shout at or punish your pet, but you don’t want to hurt them, and experts agree this method isn’t effective in the long run. Here are some things to do instead.
Limit Access
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Avoid headaches with your dog or cat by limiting access to the areas and objects you want to protect. Stash tempting items in cupboards or behind closed doors. Set up baby gates to close off areas of the house you don’t want your pet wandering into. Keep countertops clear of food and other things he might want to investigate.
Introducing your pet to a crate early on is another great way to keep him out of mischief. Making it a familiar, safe space ensures he has a comforting place to go when you can’t directly supervise him or allow him to roam the house.
Pet Training
If you weren’t planning to already, taking the time to train your pet is a must. Whether you stock up on training books or invest in obedience school, teaching your pet appropriate behavior is key to creating a harmonious relationship for many years to come. It requires time, patience, and consistent effort, but you won’t regret taking this step. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for help—doggy obedience school really does work!
Think training doesn’t apply to you because you have cats? Guess again. Cat training is all about building conditioned responses so they feel rewarded when they behave correctly. While some of the techniques might be slightly different than those you would use with dogs, many resources exist online and in books to help you shape your feline’s behavior.
Positive Reinforcement
There are guaranteed to be slip-ups on your pet’s training journey. During frustrating moments, try to keep a cool head and resist the temptation to punish or intimidate your pet into obedience. Getting worked up about something your pet does can actually encourage the behavior. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, physical punishment can cause fear or even aggression in your pet.
Instead, keep a stash of treats your dog or cat loves and reward the behaviors you want to see. When you focus on positive reinforcement, your pet quickly learns which choices come with praise or “perks” and is much more likely to repeat them. This allows you to redirect your pup or kitten from an undesired behavior towards one they already know will earn them something enjoyable.
Stimulation and Exercise
Did you know that your pet is more likely to get into trouble when he’s bored? Provide your cat or dog with plenty of positive stimulation through physical exercise, play, interesting toys, and access to the outdoors. This will go a long way in preventing him from entertaining himself by destroying a house plant.
If you’re concerned about keeping your pet safe while outdoors, electric fences are a great way to ensure your dog doesn’t escape your yard and get into even more trouble. For your feline pets, consider this cat-proof fence guide or install an outdoor enclosure to keep your kittens out of harm’s way. Take a look at this guide to learn about the benefits of a catio.
Medical Causes
Sometimes your pet may be more upset—or ill—than naughty. If your cat or dog starts having more accidents than usual, check with your vet to eliminate any health conditions that could be responsible. If you notice signs of agitation, such as chewing, scratching at doors, or repetitive pacing while you’re away, your pet may be suffering from separation anxiety.
If this is the case, create a routine to help your pet feel more at ease when you leave the house. Have a special treat that he only enjoys while you’re gone, leave out laundry with your scent, and keep your departures and arrivals as calm as possible. Some people turn on the television to create background noise and help their pets feel less alone. You can even try pet-friendly essential oils!
For more serious cases of anxiety, make sure to consult your vet. He or she can suggest other alternatives, such as supplements or anxiety medication.
Mischief Managed
As a pet owner, keeping the animals in your home out of mischief is a challenging process. It’s about much more than preventing accidents or chewed-up shoes. Your pets rely on you to help them live safe, healthy, and happy lives. When you keep your pets out of trouble, your furry friends will thank you with loyal companionship for many years to come.