I'd like to be added as a
member!
Username: Syelfavaki
Species: Dogs, Snakes (yes, you can train them!)
Skills: Snake headshyness, service tasks
I have a service dog (retiring) and just confirmed my slot today for my NEW service dog, so you might see me here a bit more! Going to need some house training advice in six months or so.... I've not house-broken a dog before as my first dog was older than me, and my second (my retiring service dog) came to me housebroken.
As a member of a breeder family, I work with snakes a lot! So hand training, headshyness, and decreased food aggression are usually my trained things. Of my two current royals I'm working with, I have succeeded on 5/6 skills. The female's still working on her headshyness, but the male is completely fine so long as he is aware you are present! I'm really proud of the progress I've made even though my allowed sessions with these two are inconsistent. Even my mother, who runs the breeding operation, is impressed.
cilliance wrote:I'm trying to train my kitten to be an emotional support animal. He's already a sweetie and uses his litter box dutifully, but as he gets older, I'll need him to get used to staying calm, and using a leash and harness, and traveling. Any tips beyond doing these things frequently until he gets adjusted?
I don't want to stress him out...
Thanks guys!
Please be aware that ESAs do not have public access rights, and you WILL need a doctor's note to take them on transportation. They cannot enter stores or restaurants. As a service handler, my dog is my lifeline. Misbehaving animals can actually put my life in danger. Please make sure you know all access laws for ESAs and have the proper paperwork. ESAs have stricter guidelines than service animals. If what you mean is a Psychiatric Service Animal, cats do not qualify under US law (only miniature horses and dogs). I know I know but I say this every time for awareness.The below is adapted from service dog training, but should work for you too!
1. Train them to use a pee-pad in situations where a litter box is not available, and to alert you to their need to go potty. Something as simple as ringing a bell by the box first or pressing an easy button. Take them on short day trips to a friend's house, but stay there long enough that they have to go. A park will also suffice. You want them to alert you, and then set out the pee pad for them to use. This is CRUCIAL on flights, long car trips, etc.
My older dog hates pee pads, so I actually have to restrict her water intake by half about twelve hours before a long drive and just wait for her to signal me to stop the car. My next dog will not have the luxury of this and is going to be pad-trained for travel, since he'll have to fly. My current dog never flew.
2. Practice crating, uncrating, and not fussing while crated. I find that a larger crate may be required for service animals and ESAs who travel a lot. Crating is SAFE and is something that you should encourage. Tempting the cat in, waiting two minutes, and letting them out of the crate several times a day is wise while training it. Make the praise for not fussing worth it for them to be patient. Let them stay in for longer and longer periods, up to an hour or your regular commute period.
2a. There's no shame in using toys for this. My girl has a travel toy that she ONLY gets when travelling, a massive rope toy she adores. She's very good about it. I do not use a crate (I use a seat belt for dogs) but this is our agreement for fuss-free travel: the best toy, and a window seat. Yeah, she gets priority on window seat. I'm a pushover...
3. For harness training, leave it on them when supervised (no leash ofc). Make sure you have it fitted properly--a vet or groomer should be able to guide you with this.
3a. Never leave a harness on a cat unsupervised, unless crated.
3b. DO NOT use a breakaway harness for travelling. Please keep in mind that if they get lost, they are gone.
4. Leash training goes better if they aren't near home, at least it did for my dogs. So go down to the park, practice on paths, in new surroundings.
5. This is the most important part. Practice a recall. You want your cat to come when called... every time. You need this in case of escape. You may need a trainer for this part... dunno, my cat doesn't remember who I am half the time, let alone his own name.
Recall is important.
by Faded... » Wed Jun 19, 2019 11:36 am 
First show in about a week ree
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