Do you have a delinquent dog or puppy whose behavior is a pain? If so, it is time for animal school–and there is a special opportunity for pet parents that will help you morph your precious pet into a mannered mutt!

Those of you on my email list already know about this but here is the press release for the rest of you!

Consider this your personal canine casting call. Pet dog and puppy owners around the area will get the chance to work with veteran animal behaviorist & trainer, Diana L Guerrero of Ark Animals. Some pet parents will also have the opportunity to be highlighted in a new series that will help other animal owners, too.

Selected participants will work closely with Guerrero during program development of the Pet Parenting School, a series of educational modules designed to provide continuing education to animal owners online. The program will provide a variety of multimedia options to assist pet owners across the United States.

Guerrero has trained hundreds of pets throughout the mountain area and is no stranger to the Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino county or Riverside. She first began offering animal training here back in the late 1980s when she developed and ran animal training programs for Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and Crestline.

At that time, Ark Animals partnered with other animal businesses and the local park district until she left the valley to train animals for a world famous zoo.

You may have worked with her before or caught a glimpse of the “Ark Lady” giving expert comments on Animal Planet or the Discovery Channel. Although her work has taken her around the world, the lure of the southern California mountains drew her back to the Big Bear valley where she resides full time.

What you might not know is that the Ark Lady holds a degree in animal training & management, along with numerous other related certifications, and is the author of several books. She began her career with marine mammals, then worked with wild and exotic animals until she relocated to Big Bear to work with pets.

For more information on how you can participate in the Pet Parenting School project, or to enroll in pet dog training, please call Guerrero at Ark Animals (909) 547-4ARK (4275) or email AnimalSchool at ArkAnimals dot Com. You can use the link at the top of this page and click through to the application.

Lately I’ve been out in public more than I have been in some time.

If you are a subscriber, you know that I am getting ready to start seeing clients again after being unavailable for the past few years.

I have to say that being incognito has been interesting, to say the least.

Earlier this week I happened to be at my mobile office location–a popular gathering place for conversation, coffee and people watching.

Now, as you might expect, I spend more time dog watching.

Over the years in my profession I’ve noticed that most behavior problems stem from the miscommunication between the pet owner and their pet(s) and the failure of people to really see their animal and its behavior clearly.

So I have to ask, how are your animal observation skills?

Because my work is all about communication and creating an animal connection, I am constantly stunned at what people miss or fail to think about.

This particular thought process was triggered by the arrival of a man with his dog and the resulting activities in the public environment.

First off, he arrived with a dog who was outfitted in a pinch collar and on a chain. This was a red flag to me even though I caught his arrival through my peripheral vision.

My spider sense was activated and so I observed as he approached.

Through my work over time, I tend to insert people into specific categories when it comes to animal sense and patterns of behavior.

This guy fit into the one where the attraction of getting an animal was more for the status (or allure) of what owning the particular breed might project.

Although you cannot conclusively identify a wolf-dog mix visually (see my series on wolf dog hybrids), he did boast that this animal was a wolf (although a true wolf would require specific licensing as it is illegal to have them otherwise) and chatted to others about this.

As for the critter, he was fearful, still young and still unaltered. This man was oblivious to his animal’s discomfort as he left the dog unattended and chained outside as he entered the coffee house to order.

I’m not saying that he didn’t care about the beast but as an observer, I had to wonder why he would put his animal into a situation where the stress level created such a high level of discomfort.

In the midst of the environment, there luckily was a friendly adolescent dog nearby. This canine clan member served as a reassuring presence despite the fact that the insecure male dog was also fearful of it.

In the hour or so that I observed this animal, people ignored his signs of distress as they imposed themselves upon him or attempted to invade his space.

The animal consistently moved away from everyone who approached, panted heavily, tucked his tail between his legs, and cowered consistently as people remained oblivious to what he was telegraphing.

It wasn’t until he finally was able to nestle in near his owner that he settled down.

As for the owner, he never paid much attention to the animal but occasionally rubbed his neck if the animal inserted himself between the table and chair in an effort to escape yet another human breaching his personal space.  His pet finally climbed up to get next to him and only then began to relax.

One of the people in the public area was a wolf dog owner with whom I consulted with sometime back. As we were departing, she expressed her surprise that I didn’t insert myself into an interaction with the man or the animal.

This got me to thinking about it. Why would she assume I would get involved?

She did know that I frown on any wild animal pets or those bred with a domestic animal–perhaps that triggered the comment.

As a professional, I tend to reserve my expertise for my clients and select public education efforts.

Some people get involved in matters such as these.

So, I wonder what you think about the choices this pet owner made in bringing his animal to the public area where the creature was clearly stressed.

How would you have acted if you were sitting nearby? Would you have noticed the animal’s distress? Would you have engaged the owner or have tried to interact with the dog?

Leave your comments below or, if they are closed, take a moment over to my Facebook community.

As an animal professional I tend to be different from the norm and since I’ve been in my field a long time, don’t see things the same way as the average pet owner does. Plus, I take the things I know for granted.

So, when I attended a party that integrated a large number of dogs and humans together I was appalled when two dogs got into a minor squabble and the owner intervened and reprimanded the wrong dog.

In fact, I would have simply used some sort of interrupter to stop the incident or let the animals sort it out.

Favoritism and discipling the wrong dog isn’t a rare occurrence–it happens a lot.

The problem with it is that it also can escalate problems.

You see animals have a social structure within the home. Both dogs and cats sort out who is the top cat or dog but humans tend to mess it up because of an idea versus reality.

The idea is that everyone should be treated equally or fairly.

This is not reality in the animal world.

At the party, the dog that got in trouble was not the favorite of the owner.

The favorite dog is a beautiful animal, stunning really, but she is over indulged and pampered.

This means that she is allowed to break the rules the other animals have to follow and is not ever scolded for bad behavior.

She tends to irritate the other dogs who give her clear warning signals to back off. The warning gaze turns to growls which then are accompanied by a slight showing of teeth and then a lunge.

Instead of backing off, the favored dog continues. This means that the dog that is working to set limits and back her off is often reprimanded for his or her bad behavior by the pet owner who should be a bit more clued up than she is.

Now, at the party this became a problem because the dog with poor social manners is not adhering to good dog manners.

Instead of backing off when first “asked” by dogs she is bugging, the strange animals are having to get overt in their attempts to get this dog to stop behaving badly.

But seriously, it is the owner that is behaving badly. She is being irresponsible and creating a problem where there shouldn’t be one.

Animals are very subtle in their communication with each other. Body tension and slight positioning telegraph a lot to the other creatures in their sphere.

Human intervention, while sometimes needed, is often not appropriate because the human thought process is often disconnected from the reality of the situation.

An older dog will mold and discipline a new puppy. But if the owner reprimands the older, established animal–well, it makes for some issues down the road.

Also, it might suppress the behavior for the moment, but the intensity that will be displayed later is likely to be highly escalated.

The animal world is not into equality, it is not into fairness, this means that the social order is sorted out by animals and isn’t usually what people “think” it should be.

In fact, what pet owners think things should be might actually be be making the whole thing worse and preventing a peaceable kingdom.

So, the next time you have the inclination to interfere–stop and use some restraint– because you just might be making a mistake that could turn ugly.

Okay, so fess up–do you make this type of mistake? Maybe you don’t, but please share what you know or have learned either way!

Chime in via the comments or over in my Facebook community.

Photo Credit: Tambako

Animal professionals take a calculated risk when they work with animals. Knowing you face the risk of an attack or death is a reality when it comes to working with wild animals but what about companion animals such as pet dogs?

The biggest risk, believe it or not, involves the dog owners who keep aggression a dirty little secret. I’ve been pretty fortunate in my career to have been able to avoid serious injury and incidents by paying attention to animal behavior and stacking the cards in my favor. However, the only times I’ve had close calls have been due to owner failing to disclosure the fact that his or her pet had aggressive tendencies.

In one situation, I was on a consult for a puppy. The owners had an older dog but never said anything about him being aggressive during our initial interview by phone, nor did they do so while I was on the premises. However, this dog lunged to attack me and I was fortunate to have my training bag to thwart the attack and use as a barrier.

Now, I’ve made my living working in animal behavior & training for a long time and so that is a strong skill set–but there are other pet professionals that work with pets and that don’t have that knowledge to be able to deal with behavior problems–especially when they take them by surprise.

Before I get into this a little more, I want to say to those of you who own a pet, you are responsible to disclose whether or not your animal is aggressive.

This means if the animal has growled, nipped, tried to bite, or has ever bitten anyone–you are required to inform anyone who is going to be around your animal that there is potential for trouble.

Failing to do so is a grave error that could cause injury, disability and even death. You are liable for the actions of your pet and it is your responsibility to make sure that you keep your pet safe and other living beings safe from your pet if he or she displays aggression.

This doesn’t mean a pet professional won’t work with you, but it does mean that he or she will know to take safety measures to mitigate potential problems and so will be prepared if something does happen.

For instance, not too long ago an animal jumped a pet pro from behind and managed to grab and drag the person by the scalp. As she tried to protect herself, the dog lunged at her face. Throwing up her limbs to defend herself–she was mauled. What she discovered later, the dog had attacked all members of the family.

Now, when I was helping one of my colleagues with his practice, I was mortified by some of the incidences that happened within households. There were two dogs that attacked a toddler and ripped his ear off.

When I asked another owner to disclose the last time their dog had bit someone, he put out his hand to show me puncture wounds that went through the hand–and said, “two weeks ago” but it was shocking to hear that bites were a regular event!

Over the years, with few exceptions, I’ve not had a problem with people withholding information from me. Part of this is because I have a questionnaire that inquiries about growling, nipping, biting and other related activities.

Plus, I also ask the pet owners directly AND in some cases, will also ask other pet professionals who work with the animal for their input.

When I’ve asked non-trainer pet professionals about this issue, many discover that a cat or dog is aggressive when they insist that pet owners sign off on the issue.

Honesty keeps others safe, and then an informed decision can be made as to whether or not the problem is manageable or not.

If you are a pet professional, take the time to ask the tough questions and to do some exploration with new clients.

Finally, don’t forget to ask if the animals behave differently when their humans are around or not. Since, as the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Okay, so now I want to know–have you failed to disclose something about your pet’s behavior because you were embarrassed, afraid or ???

If you are a pet pro–have you faced the unknown due to non-disclosure?

Please share your stories in the comments below. If comments are closed, take a moment to leave your note over on my Facebook community page.

Photo Credit: Lucas Vieira Moreira

Above: My students are always excited and happy to go to animal school!

Want to bump your training up to the 3rd power? If so, use the power of three–and if you have no idea about what I am talking about–keep reading.

There is a lot of hooey out there when it comes to animal training and methodology related to it. Popular opinion isn’t always right nor is it best for your animal.

Even so, people tend to ask around their social circles for information rather than seeking out good sources.

And sometimes those “good” sources aren’t really quality sources because if training isn’t someone’s area of expertise, in many cases the advice they give you is outdated, flat out wrong, or worse–inhumane.

Why would you use archaic info? Why would you be inhumane? Most people would be mortified to discover that they made a mistake so I am going to help you correct it–or avoid making a huge mistake.

People tend make animal training mistakes they don’t know the advice they get is outdated or because they trust the source instead of doing some digging, sound familiar?

Anyway, I wanted to take about my 3Rs of training which make you more effective and make things more fun for the animal you are training are:

3Rs of Animal Training

• Request,
• Response,
• Reinforce

If you are into progressive animal training techniques these steps are essential. If you are a pet owner, they are critical to your success and for creating a happier animal.

One of the big rewards I get as an animal behavior training consultant is that my students anticipate animal school and actually are excited about it. This is because it is a positive experience for them. They love it (and me–which is super reinforcing for any trainer BTW).

Instead of repeating, repeating, and repeating, the best thing to do is follow the Ask, Tell, Take Action steps I discussed previously.

But, it is also important to understand the 3Rs because it is different from some of the older techniques people used for dog training.

In the past, pet owners were instructed to practice, practice, practice!

This meant repeating the training steps over and over again. Not only is this not fun, it is super boring and both the dog and owner lose interest. Many people find it to be too much work.

Request
If you request a behavior of an animal, you do it once. Because animal training is an art AND a science you would not always use the same strategy every time. Now this might be confusing but hang in there a minute…

Yes, you do need to be consistent but your next actions would depend on the animal’s response.

Response
Reacting and responding are two different things in my book. Reacting doesn’t involve a conscious choice so it isn’t something I desire from an animal. I want the animal to choose how to respond.

This calls to mine a low level incident that occurred with an attack trained dog that got a bit aggressive with me during exercise and play time. He was asked to respond but reacted with a different behavior instead.

In this case, I understood that he had been ingrained with a particular behavior to perform–he reacted but didn’t respond to my command. This is part of why some dogs keep on attacking when they are called off. (Reacting and adrenaline are not a good mix.)

In the end, his response (an immediate drop into a down position) was acceptable but it certainly wasn’t what I asked. My point here was that the reaction was okay and kept me safe and him out of trouble. BUT many animals react and fail to remain under the control of the handler in high stress incidents which can be a problem–and that is my point.

Also, animals taught to react do so in expectation of a negative consequence (or for you training tech term peeps, positive punishment) and to avoid it they fall back on what they find successful in most situations.

The animal has one of two responses available when requested–to respond as asked or to fail to respond as asked. This is where the reinforcement comes into play.

Reinforce
If an animal responds as requested, he or she will receive good stuff (technical–not!). If not, the window of opportunity closes and the animal loses any positive reinforcement. There isn’t a super negative consequence but he or she loses the opportunity for getting what is motivating him or her.

Depending on the animal, my next step might be to redirect into something else, ignore the animal, or end the session.

Cheyenne (in the video above) is a super thinker and over exuberant. This makes her a great student and a difficult one at the same time.

She will ad-lib because lay people (who are so excited that she performs for them) reinforce ANY response. But in my world, it has to be the requested response or it is a no go.

So, the next time you work training an animal, remember Request, Response, Reinforce. Practice it to see how it works for you.

As for Cheyenne, well, her main reinforcement is the reward of learning–but also my challenge that she focus. She works for me because she loves school–no necessarily treats. In fact, more often than not, she gets picky and spits them out. LOL

Care to share how your pet or animal responds during training? Do so over in the Facebook community or in the comments below (if they are still open).

Good pet parents are a new breed of pet owners who make sure that they are armed with the best information and the best conditions to raise a happier, healthier, better behaved pet.

There isn’t really a secret–it takes research, preparation, hard work, dedication, and commitment.

Outstanding pet owners tend to all have similar things in common but to be a good pet parent there is an actual list of required actions that take place on a regular basis.

Think you know what they are?

Not too long ago I asked, What is the one thing you wish you knew prior to getting a pet? Take a few minutes to think about it because I am going to ask you another question at the end of this post.

To earn the label of a good pet parent I put together a list.

A Good Pet Parent:

• Obtains an animal from an ethical and responsible party, shelter, or organization.
• Researches pet ownership prior to getting an animal or immediately upon ownership.
• Feeds a nutritious diet so the pet will never suffer obesity or the complications from it.
• Integrates the animal into the family and household.
• Makes sure the animal always has good shelter and protection from the elements.
• Commits to wellness check-ups twice a year and obtains veterinary care as needed.
• Engages in regular grooming practices and professional care when necessary.
• Participates in animal school so that the pet is understood and so rules can be established for the health & safety of all.
• Complies with all applicable laws related to pet ownership and proper pet management.
• Makes sure that the environment is safe and secure to prevent pet escapes or against the danger of intruders.
• Enriches the environment and provides mental stimulation for the pet through enrichment, toys, play, & training.
• Ensures that the pet has daily exercise and physical activity.
• Understands the risks of unauthorized contact or harassment when out in public (both to and from others).
• Learns how to minimize risks when traveling with the pet and during encounters with others.
• Makes a lifetime commitment to caring for and housing the pet.
• Respects the animal for who and what that animal is.
• Does not neglect or abuse the animal.

Okay, so that is my list from a professional perspective. Do you have something to add to this list? If so, chime in by leaving your comments–or join us over in the Facebook community?

Photo Credit: itonys

Above: Homemade Pet Treats

Pet treats are something people are sharing more and more with their pets and this week I got to pondering about the line between responsible pet parenting and indulgent pet parenting.

When it comes to obese pets, treats are not the problem but the type of pet parent you are might be.

For instance, I was walking with a neighbor whose dog suffers from hip dysplasia.

The dog is just over a year old and looks like a sausage.

She waddles down the road and can barely walk about a half a block before she has to rest.

The owner told me, “She only gets a half a cup of food a day but I can’t get her to lose weight.”

Now me, the professional, automatically went into assessment mode and my first thought was that the dog also had a metabolic disorder of some sort.

But suddenly I got an intuitive hunch and so asked, “How many treats does she get a day?”

My neighbor startled and looked up at me much like I image a deer looks into oncoming headlights.

I broke into laughter and said, “Oh, you are so busted.”

She wasn’t a client and so I left it at that since she has no idea about my background or expertise.

Fortunately, her conscience got the best of her and I soon learned that the dog was restricted on receiving treats and I actually began to see a waist begin to appear.

For some reason people don’t equate treats as daily caloric additives.

They are called “cookies” for a reason.

Now I’ve written about pet obesity before and am sad to say that over 40% of pet households contain animals that are overweight.

When an animal is obese it means the animal is in danger from increased risk of disease, shorter life span, and other complications.

So you would think people would be diligent when it comes to their animals–but it isn’t necessarily so!

For instance, I know an animal rescue gal whose dog was seriously obese.

She got a cookie for every little thing and when she contracted diabetes, the owner still indulged her with treats.

Needless to say the dog died way to early.

Personally, I am just a bit more selfish and am on the opposite side of the spectrum–probably an overly responsible pet parent.

When my dog’s waist was not visible, the exercise was increased and his rations were limited.

He wasn’t deprived, just managed.

Now, if you are a indulgent pet parent, you need to get into school and learn how you can spoil your pet without ruining their life.

Just yesterday I met with a pet parent who believes his terrier was happy and content.

The dog wasn’t. In fact, he was extremely overweight and acting out by grabbing every morsel in sight.

Setting limits isn’t cruel, it is kind and makes an animal more secure.

If you are seeking to bond with an animal, it isn’t done through treats.

It is done in how you interact and live with an animal.

So how do you tell if a pet is overweight?

You cannot identify the waist when you look down upon the animal’s back.

To immediately reduce the intake of the animal, simply break all treats into flavor burst size.

Something the size of a corn kernel is best because it gives the animal a big burst but not the calories.

Another strategy to try is to change to treats that have reduced calories and more fiber.

Or you could reduce the meal intake to adjust for treats and snacks.

So I wonder, are you a responsible pet parent or an indulgent pet parent?

Confess below in the comments or over in my Facebook community…and for those who need to amend your evil ways, sign up for the early bird announcement for the Pet Parenting School!

Photo Credit: Vegan Flower

Above: People thing kids with pets are cute but incorrect handling of a pet can result in a bite or other injury to a child.

A while back I wrote a long article about the Best Dog for a Child and it got me to pondering why people think there might be a simple answer to that question.

First, there are a lot of variables that enter into the equation and then there is the important rule many people seem to ignore–kids and pets should never be left together unsupervised.

Luckily, pet parents do their investigative work and preparation before they get a pet but, believe it or not, there is still a big problem.

What I find fascinating as a professional behavior and training consultant (in my field since 1975) is that people perpetuate really poor information and believe the information they obtain–which can result in disastrous consequences.

For instance, you might not be aware that in a 2008 survey of 800 dog owners, it was found that a disturbing majority of those surveyed gave unsafe answers when it came to answering questions about dog-child interactions.

This means that they are likely to get someone injured or bit due to their ignorance on the topic.

The disturbing trend found in this study created additional concerns because the people surveyed were very savvy and dedicated pet owners!

This does not bode well for the rest of the pet owning population.

In fact, this is pretty apparent when you look at the dog bite statistics:

• The highest injury rates are found in children from the ages of five to nine years of age.
• An astounding 40-50% of children are bit by dogs by the age of ten.

On of the reasons I began to work on the Pet Parenting School is because people really need a resource they can access easily and where they also can get quality information to prepare and educate themselves about pet parenting.

Part of that process is prepping the household for safe integration of a new animal.

So, just what should be considered before adding a pet?

A whole list comes to mind, but here are a few from the other article (Best Dog for a Child)

What size of dog is best for the household?
The answer to this question will depend on the home or apartment you live in. I always love when dogs have a yard but many urban areas do not have them and so smaller abodes might do better with a smaller animal.

However, small dogs can too fragile and be easily hurt by a child. In contrast, a very large, energetic dog might not have any restraint and by its sheer strength or size could accidentally injure a child.

What age of dog do you want to add?
Personally, I’d discourage adding a young puppy to the household because it is like adding another child and will require a higher level of management, training–and damage control.

Will the pet be integrated into the household?
Pets integrated into the home environment have 60% less behavior problems and also are better protectors when incorporated into the family living space.

What type of living space will the dog need?
Needless to say, an apartment with only a patio would not be ideal for a Great Dane. It is important to look at the type of dog that would fit into your home environment comfortably. Also, if you hate dirt, it might be best to look for a breed with a low tendency to shed.

What type of energy level does the breed/dog have?
Although each dog can vary, there are some breeds that are very excitable. They might knock things off the table with their tail and accidentally run over or knock down a child.

How much daily exercise will the pet need?
Large dogs and higher energy breeds will vary in just how much exercise they will need. A tired dog is generally a good dog!

What is the socialization background of the animal?
In addition to the individual temperament of an animal, you want to also look at whether or not it was socialized when young.

This happens in a very specific period where the dogs learns dog-to-dog skills and human-dog skills as well as habituation to changes in the environment.

Will the animal be trained professionally?
This is no longer optional, every animal should receive professional training. Obedience training covers the basis commands such as sit, come, down, off, etc., while behavior modification corrects issues that do not work well within a human home.

Can the household handle the financial commitment?
Pets have a variety of needs that include not only food, supplements, toys, leash and collar, beds, etc., but also wellness exams (2 per year), grooming, pet sitting or boarding (for when you go on vacation), and veterinary emergencies or seasonal care.

Will the household commit to a lifetime with the animal?
Animals are not disposable–so committing to provide a lifetime home of 20 years or so is mandatory.

Does anyone in the home have allergies to animals?
Before getting an animal, it is important to rule out allergies. Exposure to animals of all types can reveal a problem. Visits to homes with pets or to shelter facilities can help identify a problem but so can allergy testing.

If renting, does the landlord allow animals?
The harsh reality is that many people obtain pets without the blessing of their landlords. Make sure to get written permission before you obtain a pet if you rent or lease.

Is the dog (or the breed of dog) tolerant of children and strangers?
It is possible to obtain professional help in the selection of a pet and that person can help you identify a good match.

So what is the best breed for a child?
Not everyone will agree on the top pet dogs for homes with kids but I always prefer mixed breed animals since they tend to get the best traits.

I’d be interested in your opinion on the best dog for a child, or what tips you might add–just leave your comments below or at my Facebook community.

Before you leave, be sure to sign up to the list for the early bird notification on the Pet Parenting School.

Photo Credit: Savannah Bunny

So what is pet parenting and why is it important to those who have pets at home or those who provide services and products for pets?

Pet parenting is the sum total of all the things you do for a companion animal that joins your family.

Some people refer to themselves as pet owners, pet guardians, pet caretakers but the reality is that today, no matter how you refer to a person who has pets, those pets need parenting.

Pet parenting is the sum of all the efforts that go into making a pet a happier, healthier and better behaved animal.

It isn’t just one thing–which is why I use the term, “parenting.”

The funny thing is, that as long as animals have lived with us–few people actually get adequate coaching on just what activities are needed to mold an animal into living harmoniously with humans and their other animal pals.

People often think they know how do to this–but the reality is most don’t.

I want to make it clear that what I am going to talk about isn’t a reflection on whether or not you love an animal, or whether or not you take good care of an animal–it has to do with pet parenting skills (or lack of) and whether or not your have been lucky enough to have been taught these skills or made aware of them.

Answer these questions:

• Does your dog jump or paw on your or anyone else entering the home?
• Does your cat wake you up to feed him or her?
• Does your dog pull on the leash out in public?
• Does your cat disobey all your requests to stay off the counters or fail to listen to you altogether?
• Do you have to repeat commands over and over again before your pet listens?

If you answered yes to some or all of these questions–you need a pet parenting coach–because these are just tip of the iceberg issues.

Pet parenting is a lifestyle skill that you have to learn.

Most people grew up with family animals but that does not mean that they grew up with a skill set on how to manage, handle and care for a pet in the right way.

Times have changed–and so have our relationship with animals.

Isn’t it time you got the right information and the correct skill set so that everyone in your home is happy?

Wouldn’t it be nice if your pets would listen, feel more secure and so be happier while also being better behaved and healthier?

If you agree, I invite you to subscribe so you don’t miss the launch of the Pet Parenting School.

I’ll be touching on a variety of topics here prior to opening and I know you won’t want to miss a thing so get on the list!

Photo Credit: ReutC

What is the one thing you wish you knew prior to getting a pet?

That is my question to you this week.

For some, it may be the time commitment needed to help integrate a pet into the home.

• How much time should a pet parent spend with their companion animal?

This means that the animal needs quality time and attention–not just in the beginning, but for the long term.

Perhaps it is the financial commitment a pet requires.

• Just how much is it going to cost to maintain a pet properly?

Maybe it concerns the pet problems faced from simply obtaining a young animal.

• Is it better to get a young animal, an adolescent, or an older pet?
• What are the pros and cons for each?
• What unique problems will it present to the new pet household?

Or possibly problems in trying to sort out just what training methods are the best–or who to turn to for help.

• What animal training programs are the best?
• How do I find quality pet professionals to help?

Whatever you wish you might have known, take a minute to ponder your questions and leave them in the comments or over on my Facebook community (if the comments are closed).

I’ll be taking a closer look at your questions in the near future.