Accepting Their True Nature

Adopting a New Friend?

Dog Chewing?

Cat Scratching?

Pet behavior is based on natural instincts: we all know the dog who endlessly vies to chew on the end table leg and our favorite shoes. Or how about the cat who is determined to sink some claws into the couch arm? Unfortunately, while these and other common companion animal behaviors often start out as “cute” when animals are young or even tolerable as the pet ages, many companion animal owners erroneously expect these behaviors to be short-term or easily controlled, or even eliminated. Such misconceptions, predictably, end in frustration and heartbreak for the family and for the pet.

Each year, countless dogs, cats, and other companion animals are shuffled to the outskirts of home life or are removed entirely in a variety of sad and cruel ways, because the pets had “unacceptable,” “bad,” or “un-trainable” behaviors. Many thousands more are relinquished to shelters across America where the euthanasia rate is all too often greater than the adoption. Other pets are subjected to inhumane measures of behavior control such as cat declawing and dog debarking. Sadly, no matter their fate, dogs, cats, and other companion animals rejected for their innate behaviors suffer needlessly.

As responsible and caring pet owners, we can prevent animal suffering and family heartbreak by educating ourselves about and accepting our pets’ natural behaviors. This certainly does not mean that dogs and cats should be allowed to run wild or be destructive. Rather, in accepting, we should anticipate our pets’ instinctual behaviors and provide the appropriate, long-term care to manage but not deny these instincts. Whether this is redirecting instinct through regular training or accommodating behavior through preparation, everyone will be much happier for it.

Ultimately, our pets’ instinctive behaviors do not have to be invasive and frustrating. We can welcome and celebrate them by making educated and honest decisions when choosing a new animal friend. Our pets will thank us for it—each in their own, unique way.

Thinking about adopting a new companion animal? Some tips:           Back to Top

• Read multiple books and/or websites about the animal
• Speak to credible pet owners, trainers, shelter staff, and veterinarians
• Spend time with the species and breed of animal you are considering!
• Do not bring home an animal whose instinctual behaviors you cannot accept

Common Training Scenarios

Dog chewing your shoes again?                                                                  Back to Top

Managing the natural instinct of dogs to chew is as much about preparation as it is committed consistency to the training.

1. "Proof" the Home

Dog “proof” your house in every room that the animal will be allowed to occupy—in other words, pick everything up off floor level that you think will entice your dog’s chops and place items high out your dog’s reach (consider jumping abilities!). This is important not only for saving your favorite running shoes or the baby’s first stuffy, but it is essential for your dog’s safety. Medical complications due to ingesting foreign objects are a very common reason for emergency room visits and even major surgery among puppies and adult dogs.

If the room is simply too difficult to proof, such as a small child’s room, then do not allow your dog in that room unsupervised. Children’s toys are often too similar to dog toys for even our smartest canine friends to easily differentiate between.

2. Invest in Chew Toys

Always keep plenty of acceptable and safe dog chewing toys and treats on hand for your pooch. This will provide some variety for his chewing pleasure and different objects can serve different training purposes. Save those hardcore chew bones for crate time and kongs and throw ropes for leisure time in front of the TV. Does your dog have a favorite they can barely take their mouths off? Use this chew object as a reward at the end of obedience training sessions.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement

When your dog does chew an unacceptable object, it is very important to reprimand the unwanted behavior, followed up by positive reinforcement of the desired behavior. For instance, when your pup runs off with the remote, take the object away, while providing a firm verbal reprimand. Then immediately give your dog an acceptable chew toy, followed by excessive positive praise when he grabs onto and begins chewing this item. Do this consistently and your dog will learn what is acceptable and not acceptable to chew on.

4. Be Patient and Be Active

Remember that chewing is a natural form of exploration for young dogs, and a huge relief for all dogs who feel bored, anxious, depressed, or frustrated. Be sure your canine is getting plenty of exercise, human interaction and praise, and you will help deter destructive chewing while reinforcing healthy habits.

Finally, know that it is almost a 100% guarantee that at some point in your lives together, your dog is going to chew on something important to you or your family. Accept this early on and take responsibility for the training, and a few chewed shoes will not be such a huge loss compared to not growing old together.

Cat scratching the couch?                                                                          Back to Top

Managing the natural instinct of cats to scratch household items is as much about preparation as it is committed consistency to the training. 

1. Invest in Scratchables

Be sure to provide your cat acceptable items to scratch such as small carpet squares, scratch posts, or cardboard scratch boxes. Show your feline friend where these items are in the house and provide excessive praise to your cat for using them. It may take a few different items to figure out what your feline friend prefers best and after she has decided, place 2 or 3 of them around the home.

2. Get a Manicure

Get your cat into the habit of tolerating regular nail trims to “cut-down” on any potential damage sharp, untrimmed claws can render. Just like dogs, many cats appreciate a tasty treat after they have behaved well, so save especially desirable foods for nail trimmings. (Bonus: This is good training for getting your cat to better tolerate being handled the veterinarian’s office!)

3. Use Training!

Non-verbal Deterance

Try lining furniture and doorway edges with tinfoil or squirt your cat with a water bottle to annoy or frighten your feline friend out scratching house furnishings. Loud, unpleasant noises (such as banging pots together) are effective as well to creating a negative experience associated with scratching certain household objects. A combination of these methods is certainly works, but its important to not to let your cat see that you are the instigator of the negative experience or she might decide behavior to your standards only counts when you're around.

Verbal Commands

Like dogs, cats are intelligent animals who can be trained using verbal commands. Granted, cats are certainly not as quick to want to please us, but its possible! If you are relying on verbal commands for training be sure to follow up reprimands with positive reinforcement of the behavior you desire. For instance, when your cat scratches at the couch, provide a firm "no" and immediately place the animal at the items they can eagerly claw. Praise them lavishly when they do so and you're cat will learn what is and is not ok to tear to shreds!

4. Be Patient and Be Active

Remember that scratching and clawing behaviors are natural to kittens and cats: their instinct is the keep the nails sharp for the next big "hunt." Although the enticing chase will often amount to snagging a tin foil ball or toy mouse, its still very important to your feline friend. It is equally important that you do not deny your kitty opportunities to prepare by sharpening their feline talons. Be sure your cat gets plenty of exercise, training and nail-trims, and you will help deter destructive scratching while reinforcing healthy habits.

Finally, since your cat has to make some notable accommodations, you should too: accept that your feline friend will likely mar a few household items along your family journey together and you'll find that choosing between her and the curtains she "re-hemmed" is not such a difficult decision afterall.

Updated September 2009                                                                                 Back to Top

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