How to make your pet the smartest little genius

The companionship, fun, and unconditional love of a pet are some of life's greatest joys, but if you find yourself constantly bothered by your pet's bad behavior (tearing up your shoes? soiling your house? attacking other animals?), you may wonder if all the trouble is worth it. Pet training and socialization is one of the most important aspects of responsible pet ownership and goes hand in hand with proper nutrition, exercise, and affection to raise a well-rounded pet.

Why is pet training and socialization a must?

Well-behaved, well-socialized pets are more confident, happier, and less of a risk to themselves and others. Trained and socialized pets are easier to control and therefore able to enjoy a wider range of experiences with their human family members, which not only makes them happier but also deepens their bond with their family. Untrained and poorly socialized pets make up one of the largest groups of animals surrendered to shelters each year. Pet training and socialization can help pets stay in homes, where they belong.

Socialization

Socialization is the process of teaching a dog or cat to live in human society by exposing them to new environments and situations. Ideally, your pet's socialization should begin during the "sensitive period," which is 3 to 9 weeks of age for kittens and 3 to 14 weeks of age for puppies. However, socialization is possible at any age, even when your pet is much older.

Help your pet become more familiar with his or her world by encouraging the following activities:

Interaction with you and your family

Interaction with other people (especially children)

Exposure to other animals

Exposure to new places, such as other homes, your vehicle, and the veterinarian's office

Getting your pet used to being touched and petted

Learning to respond appropriately to environmental stimuli.

Training

The benefits of training your pet are far-reaching. Not only does training help your pet become a happy, well-adjusted member of your family and society, it also provides your pet with opportunities for mental stimulation, exercise, and even entertainment! When done correctly and ethically, obedience training not only teaches your pet the basic commands necessary to participate in daily life, it can also help correct undesirable behaviors, including jumping, digging, chewing, barking, and house soiling. Older pets can also benefit from a humane and professional training program. A little obedience training might be just the right way to help your pet get some exercise and enjoy spending time with you!