Where Do I Find…?
Use the index below to view all of the resources on this site in one place. You’ll find many training recommendations within “species-typical behaviors” or “security” as most unwanted behaviors are completely normal (although not ideal for our human society) or fear based (the animal is needing more security). There are training resources in “safety” as well, as many cues help keep them safe (redirecting their attention to us, recalling them back to us, or asking them to leave alone or drop a dangerous object).
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COMPLETE THE LIST BELOW
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Health and Veterinary Care
COOPERATIVE CARE: GENERAL
How to Have Less Stressful Vet Visits
Why You Should Practice "Happy Visits"
Cooperative Care: Seven Steps to Stress-Free Husbandry
The Bucket Game: Giving Dogs a Voice
Cooperative Care Worksheet: Get Started with a Cooperative Care Plan for Your Pet!
Imagining Vet Visits from a Cat’s Perspective
Teach Your Cat to Go Into a Carrier Without a Struggle
Two Minutes per Week of Treats in Their Carrier = No More Fighting!
Carriers that Easily Open from the Top Help Make Cat Veterinary Visits Fear Free
How to Collect a Urine Sample from a Female Dog
How to Collect a Urine Sample from a Male Dog
How to Collect a Urine Sample From Your Cat
How to Get a Cat to Take Medication Willingly
How to Help Your Cat Feel Comfortable with a Cone
How to Help Your Dog Relax Wearing a Cone
How to Apply Hot and Cold Compresses To Your Pet
Enrichment for Dogs Post Surgery
Modified Enrichment for Dogs on Crate Rest
When Agency Isn’t an Option: What About When it Has to Get Done?
RESOURCES BY BODY SYSTEM
WORMS AND GERMS: PARASITOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
What Shots Do Puppies Need and When?
Pets Can Harbor Parasites that Pass to Kids
MUSCLES, BONES, ETC.: ORTHOPEDICS
Canine Rehabilitation Home Exercises
Relieving Arthritis Pain in Dogs from Dr. Buzby of “Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips”
How to Evaluate Cat Body Condition Score
How to Evaluate Dog Body Condition Score
Understanding TPLO Surgery for Dogs
HEART AND LUNGS: CARDIOLOGY AND RESPIRATORY
Measuring Resting Respiratory Rate
Cooperative Care: Asthma Inhaler Training
SKIN AND EARS: DERMATOLOGY
10 Point Itch Scale: How Itchy is Your Dog?
10 Point Itch Scale: How Itchy is Your Cat?
Monitoring Lumps and Bumps with a Body Map
Cooperative Care: Administering Ear Drops
Transitioning from Verbal to Visual Cues for Dogs Losing Hearing
TEETH: DENTISTRY
Many Products Marketed as Dog Chews Break Teeth Down to the Pulp!
Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Approved Products for Dogs
Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Approved Products for Cats
What is a Veterinary “Dental?”
HORMONES: ENDOCRINOLOGY
Taking a Sample from a Cat Ear Vein for Blood Sugar Measurement
Withdrawing Medication From An Insulin Pen: A How To Guide
How to Administer Insulin to Your Dog
BRAIN, NERVES, ETC.: NEUROLOGY
Seizures and Convulsions: First Aid
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome Evaluation Tool
STOMACH, INTESTINES, ETC.: GASTROENTEROLOGY
Prophylactic (Preventative) Gastropexy
Esophageal (E-Tube) Feeding for Dogs and Cats
Fortiflora: Over the Counter Probiotic
KIDNEYS, BLADDER, ETC.: RENAL AND URINARY
Urethral Obstruction (“Blocked”) Cats Are An Emergency!
Measuring Your Pet's Water Intake - Is it Excessive?
EYES: OPHTHALMOLOGY
How to Apply Eye Drops and Ointment
Cooperative Care Approach to Eye Drops in Less than Two Minutes
Cooperative Care: Administering Eye Drops
Monitoring Corneal Ulcers at Home
UTERUS, TESTICLES, ETC.: REPRODUCTION (THERIOGENOLOGY)
Benefits of Neutering Male Dogs
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
Regurgitation: Different from Vomiting
Cyanosis: Blue/Purple Discoloration of the Skin or Gums Due to Low Oxygenation
WHAT DOES THAT TELL US?
Abdominal X-Rays (Radiographs)
Chest X-Rays (Thoracic Radiographs)
Echocardiogram (Ultrasound of the Heart)
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Orthopedic X-Rays (Radiographs)
Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) for Cytology
ANATOMY VISUALS
[Images Only, No Links]
MANAGING THE COST
Pawlicy Advisor: Compare and Buy Pet Insurance
CareCredit: Veterinary and Pet Care Financing
HELPFUL CONTACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Veterinary Partner: Trusted Ad-Free Animal Health Information
CROSSING THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
Losing Lulu: Grieving Behavioral Euthanasia
How Will I Know? assessing quality of life and making difficult decisions for your pet
A Tribute to My Beloved Animal: A Journal to Process Grief & Loss
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Nutrition
USE CAUTION
Grain Free / Foods Rich in Pulses Associated with Heart Disease
Foods That Are Unsafe for Your Dog
ARE THEY EATING ENOUGH OF MEALS YOU CAN TRUST?
World Small Animal Veterinary Association Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods
What is Fresh Pet Food and Is It Actually Better?
BalanceIt.com: Recipe Development and At Home Cooking
Find a Veterinary Nutritionist in the United States
You Can Influence Your Dog’s Food Motivation
Transitioning Dry Food Addicts to Canned Food
SAFE SNACKS
Dog Friendly Fruits and Veggies
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Sensory Stimulation
ALL THE SENSES
What They Sense in the Shadows
Indoor Fun When the Outdoors is No Fun
TOUCH
How to Make a Ball/Toy Pit For Your Dog!
PHEROMONES
Adaptil Sends “Calming Messages” to Dogs
SMELL
Nose Work is Scentsational for Dogs
6 Nosework Games for Dogs: Easy, Simple Scentwork!
Nosework Games for Dogs: Strengthening Spot’s Sniffer!
Barn Hunt: Mimicking the Real Work of Vermin Hunting Dogs and Breeds
Earthdog: Underground “Hunting”
SIGHT
SOUND
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Safety
STAY CLOSE
Here’s Where You Can Get Your Pet’s Microchip Registered for Free
“Look at Me:” Teach Your Dog How to Give Eye Contact
Cats and Collars: Why Breakaway is So Important
Martingale Collars Can Help Prevent Escape
A Review of Apple AirTag to Find a Cat
STAY OUT OF TROUBLE
Stop Unwanted Behavior with a POSITIVE Interrupter
Dog Parks: Consideration, Safety, and Etiquette
Foreign Body Ingestion Threatens Pets
Snake Avoidance: A Positive Reinforcement Approach
Protecting Your Dog from Coyotes
Brachycephalic (Flat Nose) Safety
Lilies are Lethally Toxic to Cats
Should Your Dog Sleep In Your Bed With You?
Preventing and Treating Foxtail Injuries
TRAVEL
Tips to Ensure Pet Safety in Cars
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
"Go Bag" by Sleepy Pod / American Red Cross
Pet and Disaster Safety Checklist by Red Cross
KIDS AND PETS
Dog Meets Baby: Help Your “Kids” Get Along
Doggie Detective Coloring Pages
The Young Person’s Guide to Woofs and Growls
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Security
WORKING WITH A PROFESSIONAL
What is a Behavior Consultant?
FREEZE AND FLEE
How to Get a Scared Dog to Trust You
REACTIVITY (FEAR BASED AGGRESSION)
Fearful and Reactive Dog Support Community
A Dedication to Difficult Dogs: A Heartwarming Tale Shedding Light on Canine Mental Health
The Canine Ladder of Aggression
Desensitization: Turn Scary Things into Positive Experiences
Dog Desensitization 101: How to Get Your Dog Used to Anything!
Harness Training, Even When a Dog Hates It
“Rubberbanding:” How it Can Help Your Leash Reactive Dog
NOISE AVERSION
Prepare Your Pet for Fireworks
Counterconditioning: Fear of Fireworks
USE CAUTION
Prong Collars Can Cause Serious Emotional, Physical, and Behavioral Problems
Why You Should NOT Use Shock as a Training Tool
How NOT to Train a Dog: Why Aversives and Punishments Are Bad Ideas!
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Species-Typical Behavior
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION METHODS MATTER
Cornell Feline Health Center Behavior Consults: Discuss Virtually with a Vet
How to Choose a Trainer - American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Be a Smart Dog Training Consumer
Getting Started with Clicker Training
Squeeze Tubes Make AWESOME Treat Dispensers (Especially for Gloved Hands in Cold Weather)
The Animal Behavior Management Alliance’s Glossary of Behavior and Training Terms
How NOT to Train a Dog: Why Aversives and Punishments Are Bad Ideas!
DOGS
How to Address Puppy Nipping and Biting
Tips for Perfect Potty Training Every Time
Fresh Patch: Real Grass for Potty Training, Apartment Living, Easy Clean-Up
SMART x 50 - Reward Your Dog for “Good” Behavior Every Day
How to Train Your Dog to Stop Jumping on People
How to Train Your Dog to Stay Off of the Couch Unless Invited
Teaching Your Dog to Walk Politely on a Leash
Easy Walk Harness Gently Discourages Pulling
Training a Fearful Dog to Wear a Harness
Why Dogs Hump & How to Stop It
Why Do Dogs Steal Food from Kitchen Counters? And What to Do About It.
Resource Guarding: What to Do (and NOT Do)
Licking Can Be Normal! The Benefits of Dog Lick Mats
Enrichment for Dogs Who Love to Destroy and De-Stuff Toys
Understanding Prey Drive & Enrichment
CATS
Cats Prefer Quiet, Private Litterboxes
Troubleshooting Why Your Cat Isn’t Using the Litterbox
Cats Need to Scratch, Climb, Relax, Play, and More!
How to Stop a Kitten from Biting and Scratching
How to Stop Your Cat From Waking You Up Early
Kitten Lady: Everything You Need to Know About Caring for Kittens and Mama Cats
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Foraging
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Social Interaction
BODY LANGUAGE
Fear, Anxiety, and Stress Scoring Dogs
Should I Pet This Dog? Petting Consent Tests
Fear, Anxiety, and Stress Scoring Cats
Dogs That Look “Guilty” are Just Afraid of Punishment
PUPPY AND KITTEN SOCIALIZATION
Introducing Your Cat to the World
Exposure Alone Isn't Socialization!
COMBATTING CONFLICT
Are My Cats Playing or Fighting?
How to Encourage Family Dogs to Stop Fighting
How to Safely Break Up a Dog Fight
Three Things You Should do Immediately if Your Dogs Just Got Into a Fight
Praiseworthy Pets: Helping You Create Harmonious Dog and Cat Households
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Mental Exercise
TRAINING AND PLAY
Getting Started with Clicker Training
Treiball: A Positive Reinforcement, Competitive Dog Sport
Agility: Backyard Hobby or Competitive Activity!
Catit Senses Mushroom (Motion Activated Toy)
PUZZLE TOYS
Learning How to Use Food Puzzles
DIY Dog Puzzle Ideas for Cheap Canine Enrichment
Kong Sizing and Selection Guide
Starmark Bob-a-Lot Treat Dispensing Toy
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Independence
CRATE TRAINING
COMBATTING SEPARATION ANXIETY
Setting Your New Dog or Puppy Up for Successful Alone Time
Help Your Dog Feel Comfortable in Another Room When Guests Are Over
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Environment