Q: Our dog has completed basic obedience. Our classes drilled home the importance of rules: structure and obedience. Is it wrong to add some tricks at this point? When can we start to have some fun?
A: Tricks are valuable. While they may be fun, that does not make them any easier or any less worthwhile than obedience.
Trick training “gamifies” the dog-training process. Gamification is a new buzzword. It means that game elements are applied to tasks. The addition of fun and engaging components make dull chores more enjoyable, thereby increasing productivity and results. The addition of tricks is one way owners can accomplish this.
Most tricks are useful. Dogs that can balance treats on their nose learn to be patient around food. Retrieving various objects helps to prevent pets from becoming possessive. When dogs learn to play dead or lie down with their paws crossed, they show off to guests in an acceptable, calm and polite manner.
Choose tricks wisely. Some can become a nuisance. Teaching a quiet dog to speak can encourage unwanted barking. Shake a paw is no fun when the dog scratches a guest’s leg. Avoid tricks that could border on pestering unless you have the skills and time to put them under verbal control. This means that the dog only does the trick if asked to do so.
Gamification can also improve obedience. The only real difference between a trick and traditional obedience is the owner’s presentation of the material. Yet that small difference is very much like the difference between a history teacher that drones on about dates and one that makes history come alive. Engaging teachers get results.
Present obedience with a good dose of fun. Dogs that enjoy their homework want to listen and obey. Owners should have fun too. Obedience should never spoil the fun of having a pet.
Q: Our cat is a pest when we sit down to eat supper. She meows, cries and howls. We try to ignore her, but she just gets louder until we give her some food. It is the only way to make her stop. Ignoring is not working. How can we get her to be quiet during meals?
A: Ignoring unwanted behaviour is common advice. Owners implementing this strategy are often unaware that the problem will get worse before it gets better. This is an extinction burst.
Extinction bursts are like a child’s temper tantrum. When told no, the child may scream louder. Giving in at this point teaches the child to scream louder the next time.
The same thing happens with pets. Once owners draw a line in the sand, ignoring pushy demands, they must hold firm. They need to be prepared for the inevitable escalation, calmly and patiently holding their ground. This is not at all easy.
Owners can reduce the intensity of these extinction bursts by teaching the cat what to do. Get ahead of problem. Start teaching before the howling begins. This way, good new habits replace unwanted behaviour without having to weather the storm of a feline temper tantrum.
Before dinner begins, encourage your cat to sit on a chair or mat by luring them with some tiny treats. Throughout dinner, feed treats so long as she is being quiet. If the cat starts to wander, immediately guide it back to its spot.
Some extinction bursts might still occur. However, if you feed treats quickly, new habits will rapidly develop. Extinction bursts should be far easier to manage and ignore. As the cat demonstrates that it understands the new rules, gradually reduce the number of treats given.
Yvette Van Veen is an animal behaviour consultant. Write her at firstname.lastname@example.org