In addition to spreading love and comfort, a recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE revealed that the presence of therapy dogs provides significant reductions in pain, anxiety, and depression to patients in medical settings. According to experts at the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, being around these furry volunteers can also decrease stress, sadness, and fatigue in dementia patients, those suffering from anxiety, and people with post-traumatic stress disorder.

What exactly is a therapy dog?

It’s important to understand the difference between service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs.

Service dogs go through extensive training to help a person with a disability live a more independent life. Legally, service dogs have full public access rights, which means they’re allowed to go places off-limit to animals.

Emotional support dogs are typically trained to assist owners who have diagnoses of psychological or emotional disorders. Emotional support dogs have limited legal rights and typically an owner is required to present a letter of diagnosis from a doctor or a psychologist before gaining access to areas off-limits to dogs.

Therapy dogs provide comfort and affection while interacting with a wide range of people in a variety of settings. Therapy dogs also help console people in the aftermath of disasters, such as hurricanes or mass shootings.

How to know if your dog qualifies for therapy work

According to experts at Therapy Dogs International (TDI), “a therapy dog is born, not made.” While you can teach your dog basic obedience, you can’t change a dog’s inherent temperament. When a dog is under stress, poor or marginal temperament will surface, making the dog unfit for therapy work, said TDI trainers.

Personality traits of therapy dogs include being friendly, outgoing, gentle, calm, and confident around people and pets. These four-legged volunteers come in all shapes and sizes, with some purebreds becoming certified after retiring from the show ring, while many mixed-breed dogs excel in therapy work after being adopted from shelters or rescues. Typically, dogs have to be at least a year old before they can be certified for therapy work.

In a Newsweek article, Mary Burch, director of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Program, said that matching dogs to the right setting is important when it comes to therapy work. For example, smaller breeds like Rosalie and Enzo, both rescue dogs, work well in hospital settings where people can place them on beds or laps, making it easier for patients to pet them. Burch says that larger more active breeds like golden retrievers work well in a setting such as a residential home for teenage boys where residents might enjoy playing ball or Frisbee with the dogs.

Popular large-breed therapy dogs include:

• Golden retrievers
• Labrador retrievers
• Greyhounds
• Standard poodles

Popular small-breed therapy dogs include:

• Beagles
• Cavalier King Charles spaniels
• Dachshunds
• Yorkshire terriers

In addition to having the right temperament, therapy dogs have to be clean, well groomed, and current on core vaccinations.

How to get therapy dog certification

In the U.S., several organizations train and certify therapy dog teams and each has its own set of rules and regulations.

Because all therapy dogs need to have good manners, basic obedience training is a must. Training experts at the AKC recommend that dogs complete the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test before taking a therapy certification test. The CGC teaches basic good manners, including come, sit, stay, down, and good behavior around other dogs.

Once you’re confident with your dog’s obedience skill level, you can reach out to a reputable therapy dog group. Among the largest and most popular groups operating in the U.S. are the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, and Therapy Dogs International. The AKC also offers a list of local therapy dog organizations, along with the states in which they operate.

Typically, dogs are required to pass a test before being certified for therapy work. In addition to observing a dog’s basic obedience skills, these tests are designed to evaluate a dog’s reaction when confronted with typical therapy dog settings. For example, during testing, dogs may be exposed to people on crutches, in wheelchairs, or using walkers. The dogs may also be subjected to loud noises or people running past them from behind — all experiences they may encounter while working. Evaluators watch to make sure that dogs remain calm in difficult, distracting, or stressful situations.

Once registered, you’ll learn from experienced handlers the skills needed when visiting facilities with your dog. In addition, therapy organizations provide members with the necessary liability insurance to protect them while volunteering.

Yes, there’s some preparation involved in getting your pet ready for therapy work, but the benefits are enormous. Volunteering to help others is a heartwarming experience. Taking your dog along on the adventure strengthens the bond you have with one another while working as a team to help those in need.

Older rabbits are easier to potty train than younger rabbits, as their ability to learn — and their attention span — increases with age. Babies are the hardest to teach, but with persistence and patience, you’ll be able to make the training stick. Curious about how to litter train a rabbit? We’ll walk you through what you’ll need, and we’ll share six useful training tips.

Supplies you need to litter train a rabbit

Figuring out how to potty train your cottontail doesn’t have to be difficult. Before you begin, make sure you have the right supplies:

• Cage: First, you’ll need a cage to limit your rabbit’s ability to roam during litter training. You can let your bunny hop freely again once she’s properly trained, but keeping your rabbit confined during the early stages of the process helps her learn faster, and it drastically cuts down on messes you’ll have to clean up if you leave your little guy unchecked.
• Litter box: While you can buy litter boxes specially made for rabbits, they’re often too small for your furry friend to use comfortably, especially if you’re training an older rabbit. Your bunny should have plenty of room to move around, but the sides of the container can't be too tall for her to hop over. (You can always cut out a doorway if needed.)
• Litter: Avoid using wood shavings, clay-based litter, and clumping litter. They can harm your rabbit’s respiratory tract. Recycled newspaper litter is a wonderful option for bunnies, and it helps cut down on odor. Unlike cats, bunnies don’t bury their poop under the litter, so you’ll need to fill the box with only a thin layer of shredded newspaper to absorb urine. (You’ll have to empty the litter box fully each time you clean it, so using a thin layer stops you from going through it so quickly, saving you money in the long run.)

How to potty train a rabbit

Step 1: Line the floor beneath the box, because even the best-trained rabbit can have accidents.

This makes cleanup easier, not to mention, it protects your flooring from stains.

Step 2: Use food to encourage your rabbit to use the litter box.

Rabbits are funny little creatures in that they prefer to eat while they poop. Place a bundle of hay on top of the litter. The scent of one of their favorite noshes will be irresistible, and your bunny will be much more likely to use the litter box.

Step 3: Teach your rabbit to use the box.

If your bunny insists on going potty outside her litter box, absorb the urine with a paper towel, pick up the poop, and place both items in the litter box. This helps your bunny accept the idea that the box is where she should potty from now on.

Step 4: Move the box to your rabbit’s favorite place.

Does your rabbit insist on going potty in the same corner? Try setting the litter box there. Sometimes it’s better to let your rabbit tell you where she wants to go rather than try to force the issue.

Step 5: If your rabbit urinates and leaves droppings throughout your home, have her spayed.

This is the best way to stop it. Spraying is a territorial behavior, and spaying (or neutering) rabbits curbs the instinctive desire to mark their territory.

Step 6: Learn your rabbit’s "I’m about to use the bathroom" body language.

If she lifts her tail or shifts into a seated position before going potty, scoop her up and put her in the litter box. Accidents may happen, but it’s one of the fastest ways to train any animal to use its designated bathroom space.

Tips to consider when litter training a bunny

Step 1: Prepare for trial and error.

Bunnies can be more finicky than cats when it comes to their litter, so you may have to try out a few combinations before getting the litter box just right. Start with around 1 inch of your chosen litter and cover it with rabbit-safe hay.

Step 2: Protect the area.

Rabbits aren’t as precise as cats, so invest in a tough rubber or plastic mat to go underneath the box. Ensure it’s thick enough that your rabbit can’t chew through it. You’ll have an easier time mopping up small accidents, and you’ll also keep excess hay or litter out of your carpet.

Frequently asked questions about litter training rabbits

Why do I need to use hay?

Rabbits love to nibble on hay and poop at the same time. Placing hay on the litter or in a hay feeder directly beside the litter box will encourage pooping in the right place.

How much litter should I use?

Since you dump the box each time, you don’t need much litter. Cover the bottom of the box up to an inch to absorb wetness as your bunny urinates.

My bunny was litter trained but is forgetting good habits. What do I do?

Needing to retrain your domestic rabbit throughout its life span isn’t uncommon. Simply limit your buddy’s space until good habits return. Go through the steps again if you need to.

My bunny is going to the bathroom on my furniture. What do I do?

It’s best to place your litter box where your bunny likes to go to the bathroom, but if that place is on your furniture, it’s a different story. Your rabbit is showing you who’s boss. That’s an entirely different training question than litter box training. Keep up with your litter box training even while you address this second issue.

Litter training rabbits can take time, especially if you’ve adopted an older rabbit who was never trained to use a designated space to go to the bathroom. Fortunately, rabbits are clever creatures, and with time, patience, and effort, they can be taught to use a litter box.

Training golden retrievers isn’t difficult if you know what to do. Leash training begins not with your dog but with your mindset. Goldens are intelligent, people-pleasing dogs. With the right motivation and some understanding of the golden personality, you’ll be able to train your furry friend in no time.

Stay calm

You love when your puppy gets all excited, but if you rile him up right before you put him on the leash, you set the tone that walks are chaos. Begin your leash training — and every walk after that — with a calm mindset, and your dog will follow.

The leader goes through the door first, so work on proper door etiquette until your puppy or dog has the right idea. This sets up your walk to succeed from the beginning.

Don't reward pulling

You don’t give treats to your dog when he pulls the leash, but you may still be rewarding the behavior. If you allow your dog to pull you over to greet the dog across the street or to sniff that really lovely tree, your dog is the winner in this tug of war.

Instead, when your dog starts pulling, stand in one spot. Beginning this training with puppies makes stopping easier, but plant your feet even with a full-grown dog. Your golden will learn that the walk only continues when you’re walking together and the leash is relaxed.

Reward walking correctly

Choose a (very small) type of treat your dog only gets on walks and use this to reinforce good behavior. Every so often as your dog walks correctly, praise your golden and dish out a treat. Eventually, wean your dog off the treats but always praise good behavior.

If you aren’t comfortable with treats, you can still dish out praise. Goldens respond really well to this type of verbal confirmation.

Walk often

Make walks a regular part of your routine. At least once a day, preferably twice, walk your dog for a period of 15 to 30 minutes.

You’ll both enjoy the health benefits, and your dog will have enough time to get used to the leash and learn what you expect. This routine is a huge part of keeping your golden leash trained for walks. Put it in your calendar or set a reminder on your phone — whatever it takes to get outside.

Steps to leash-training your golden retriever

Here are the basic steps for introducing your golden to the leash and getting outside. Remember to always use positive reinforcement. Yelling or other punishment types of motivation could backfire. Your golden may end up with more energy or fear of walking.

Step 1: Put the leash on your golden while in the house. If your golden is afraid of the leash, reward him with treats when he allows you to put it on him.

Step 2: While inside, walk back and forth with your dog, stopping when he pulls on the leash. This method begins to teach your golden what to expect.

Step 3: Begin teaching door etiquette. Work on getting your golden to sit while you go through the door.

Step 4: Once outside, continue stopping whenever your dog pulls on the leash. Reinforce good behavior with praise or treats, or both.

Step 5: Walk briskly for at least 15 minutes. This way, your golden doesn’t have time to pick up as many smells.

Step 6: When your dog is showing signs that he's tired and has had enough, return home and try again the next time.

Frequently asked questions

Let’s take a look at some common questions people have about how to train a golden retriever.

When can I start leash training?

The answer here is as soon as possible. Begin working with your golden as a puppy because puppies don’t have the same pulling power as adults. However, even with adults, the sooner, the better.

Can I use a retractable leash?

Retractable leashes tend to teach bad habits because your dog learns that pulling extends the reach of the leash. A traditional one is better to establish good walking habits.

My dog has a lot of energy. How do I keep walks calm?

Golden retrievers are known for their energy and can be a lot to handle. If you have a backyard or a small space where your dog can play, having a little fun before you go on your walk can help vent some of that energy so your dog can concentrate.

Should I use a walking aid?

Some walking aids, like head halters, are a good option for wayward dogs. Never use something that can cause pain, such as choke collars that could cause injury.

Walks can be some of the best fun you’ll have with your golden. Leash training can help those walks go smoothly and safely. Proper training helps ensure that you and your golden enjoy walks each time and that the memories you make are good ones.

Why should you train your bearded dragon?

Training your dragon doesn’t merely teach them to follow your commands and do entertaining tricks. It also allows you to build trust and establish a tight bond with your beardie. You can even potty-train your dragon, but the most important trick to master is training your bearded dragon to come when you call. Dragons enjoy spending time out of their enclosures, but they also can climb furniture and vanish from sight. If your dragon comes when you call, you won’t have to worry about where they’ve scurried off to anymore. Training sessions also provide mental stimulation for your dragon, which helps keep them from becoming bored and restless.

Getting to know your dragon

For the most part, beardies are docile, affectionate creatures, but some can be shy when you’re first getting to know them. If your dragon needs time adjusting to your presence, don’t rush things. Mealtime is great for bonding, but skittish dragons may need space. Try dropping food in their enclosure with a pair of tweezers and talking to them in a calm voice for a few days. Make sure you repeat their name often during feeding time. Once they’re used to you, feed them a few snacks and pet them gently as they eat. The dragon will come to associate being fed with receiving attention.

The real fun can begin when your dragon feels more comfortable with you. Try hand-feeding your dragon while you talk to them. Again, make sure to use their name. At this point, they may start looking in your direction when they hear their name, which means they recognize it. Success!

Training your dragon to come to you

Whether you’re worried your dragon will take off when you bring them outside, or you simply don’t want to have to tear your house apart looking for them, teaching your dragon to come when you call is essential. Luckily, dragons are easily motivated by food. Get some snacks ready, follow these steps, and in no time, your dragon will come when you call them.

Step 1: Offer a treat every time you use their name for the first couple of weeks

When you start to feed your dragon, say their name and then give them a treat. Repeat the process, feeding them a single treat at a time. We recommend using only their name instead of saying, “Here’s a tasty treat, Dracarys,” which can be confusing. Make sure to keep your tone light and cheerful so your dragon doesn’t think you’re angry. Consistency is key, so keep this up for a week or two, greeting them by name each time you feed them.

Step 2: At the three-week mark, don't immediately feed your dragon when you call their name

After a week or two, your dragon should recognize the sound of their name. When you enter the room containing their enclosure, call them by name, but don’t immediately feed them. Your dragon should come running, and then you can feed them as a reward. Some dragons take a little longer to pick it up, while others learn to respond to their name quickly.

Step 3: Call them by name when out of their enclosure

Now, it’s time for the real test — will they respond when they’re not in their enclosure? Take them out and place them in a favorite spot. Cross to the other side of the room and call your dragon by name. Most likely, they’ll scamper over to investigate. If not, you can dangle a treat from your fingers to lure them over. Once they learn to associate coming when you call them with getting a treat, it’s smooth sailing from there.

Bearded dragons make calm and entertaining pets. They’re also one of the most intelligent reptiles around. Friendly, good with kids, and relatively low maintenance, you can’t go wrong with a dragon if you want to start keeping reptiles. Best of all, you can teach them to come to you on command, potty-train them, and even teach them to walk on a leash. You’ll be able to enjoy your dragon’s companionship for roughly 10 years, and if you follow our tips, you’ll be equipped to teach them plenty of tricks during their lifetime.

Why is my puppy whining? These are the common reasons.

The most important thing to remember about puppy whining is that it’s a very common, usually short-lived phase. Very young pups might just whine because they miss their mom or siblings. In most cases, puppy whining stems from basic needs they haven’t figured out how to communicate yet. It’s best to distinguish their different “whines” to avoid ignoring pleas for legitimate needs.

• Hunger or thirst is one of the most common causes of whining. Set your pup on a regular feeding schedule and make sure they have access to clean drinking water at all times. This will also stop them from trying to eat inedible items around the house like your favorite leather shoe!

• Potty breaks will make your puppy whine especially if you’ve just brought them home or if you’re training them to go outside. If they’re confined to a play area in your living room by a dog fence, take them out consistently to prevent any accidents.
• Boredom can cause your fur baby to whine or act out. Keep them entertained with lots of toys, time outside when possible, and walks. If they’re alone most of the day and whine when you get home, they might just be calling for attention.
• Stress or fear is fairly natural in young puppies. When you first take them home, they might whine because of unfamiliarity. They might also whine when they feel scared at the local dog park or if they hear strange, loud noises.

• Pain or discomfort whines are an important category to distinguish from the rest. Usually, this type of whining will be constant and can be accompanied by other symptoms like not wanting to be pet or picked up, not wanting to eat, and not being their usual self. If this is the case, take your pup to the vet immediately.

• Crate training is a major cause of puppy whining. They’ll cry for attention, to be let out, and might feel afraid in their strange new enclosure. So what can you do?
  

What puppy behavior training methods can I use?

• Praise them for being quiet. Before giving them what they need or want, wait until your puppy has quieted down. Give them a treat or praise for being quiet first. This is the part where you can get the “Be Quiet” command down.

• Don’t give in to their demands right away. Like we mentioned above, wait until your puppy is quiet before giving in. Sometimes what they’re asking for isn’t an immediate need like going potty or wanting food. In this case, giving them what they want right away will only encourage whining — which is what you don’t want! You need to demonstrate that whining every time won’t get them what they want.

• Keep them near your bed while crate training. While crate training, your puppy will whine. A lot. If possible, keep their crate by your bedside at night. This will reduce separation anxiety and any fears your fur baby might feel. You’ll also be more available in case they are whining to go potty outside or need water. Before putting them in the crate, make sure all their needs are met.

• Give them sufficient entertainment. If your puppy cries even when you’ve given them food, water, and potty time, the culprit might be boredom. Designate chunks of time throughout the day for walks and time at the park. Give them plenty of opportunity to socialize with other dogs and people. Additionally, give them outlets at home like tough chew toys, mobile toys, and treat-dispensing toys.
• Remember, even eye contact counts as attention. It can be difficult not to shush or correct your puppy when she whines, but even negative or dramatic attention will look like a reward to her. Unless you’ve specifically taught your dog that shh means to be quiet, she probably won’t understand anyway. Even the stink eye, which may work on your kids, probably won’t make much of a difference to your pup. If she got you to look by whining a minute ago, she’ll certainly try again.
• Redirect behavior when whining from excitement. Sometimes a dog can whine when they get worked up from excitement, especially during greetings. Ignoring your pup in cases like these may be next to impossible, so it might be more effective to redirect her excitement instead. Having your puppy follow a command or two will give her something else to focus on. It may help to ask guests to follow the same routine so your dog gets used to staying calm and active during greetings.

Let’s be frank. Puppy whining is normal and pretty much unavoidable. Before it carries over into adulthood, however, there are some key training techniques you can use at home. The secret is consistency when it comes to correcting puppy behavior, and not to expect overnight results. For now, enjoy your puppy’s wacky behavior, because this too shall pass.

@pawsomepets

I’ve seen it all now! ? @ГРОКЪ #fyp #guineapig #funny #petsoftiktok

♬ Caught A Vibe – Lancesavali

Who knew guinea pigs could be trained so well? In the TikTok video, a man, who is holding a string attached to a toy car on the ground (complete with working lights) pauses on the sidewalk long enough for his pet guinea pig to hop on his ‘ride’. Then, off the adorable duo go, with the man pulling the toy car with his furry friend behind him! The true joy of this video can be found in the details: we love how there’s a face mask in place on the front of the car that perfectly fits the guinea pig’s adorable furry face, and that the man doesn’t even pause when a piece of litter from the sidewalk catches the front of the toy car and is swept along with the car and passenger. Both pet parent and piggy are properly masked for a day on the town, and we love the sight of the piggy’s adorable little behind as they ‘roll’ on down the sidewalk.

Not surprisingly, the comments on TikTok are hilarious, ranging from pangs of jealousy (I can’t get my guinea pig to do that!) to concerns about the rubbish on the street (that napkin is along for the ride!). Most TikTok commenters echo one another about the extreme cuteness factor of this video, while a few outliers worry about the safety of the man’s guinea pig companion. We think his fur baby hopped on his waiting ride willingly enough, however!

We just wish we could have learned more: what is this cute piggy’s name? Where is this unlikely duo headed? What city are they in? We have so many questions!

Can guinea pigs learn tricks?

Guinea pigs are known for their friendliness and desire to cuddle, and yes, they are as cute as can be. But believe it or not, you can teach your guinea pig fur babies some pretty slick tricks, too. Guinea pigs are quite clever, but they do have short attention spans, so it’s best to keep your piggy lessons short. Consistency and repetition are key, says GuineaDad, who emphasizes that some piggies do learn faster than others. Have your fur baby’s favorite treats on hand, and with practice, your piggy can learn his name and even come when called.

Remember to give your piggy a treat only when she’s successful, to eliminate confusion, and remember not to rush it. According to the experts at Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, it’s important to bond with your furry friend before attempting any tricks or training. Always train your piggy in a safe, secure environment, and remember that not every pig will be up for stunts like the one captured in this TikTok video! Your little fur baby may not be quite the daredevil, and that’s okay!

Why your kitten bites

It’s important to understand why your kitten bites. Kittens biting a lot is actually very common. Your kitten explores the world with his mouth. He bites and tastes objects to learn about them, and biting is a natural aspect of how your kitten plays with his littermates.

Kittens may also bite more when they’re teething. Kittens teethe around 10 weeks old, and then again when they’re about 6 months old. You might notice increased biting and chewing around these times as your kitten tries to relieve his discomfort.

While kittens may bite a lot, that behavior decreases as they age, and by the time your kitten is about a year old, he should be over his biting habits. However, it’s important to know how to react to your kitten’s biting in the meantime.

How to stop a kitten from biting

If your kitten bites you while playing, immediately yet gently remove yourself from his grasp. You might instinctively want to yank back, but be gentle and careful. The faster you pull away from the kitten, the more he might be tempted to chase and further play with you.

You can also say a sharp “No” to your kitten as you remove yourself. Don’t yell at your kitten, but do be firm.

Once you’ve gotten out of your kitten’s reach, remove yourself from the situation. Stop the play session immediately and don’t let your kitten chew on your fingers or toes. Move yourself away to reinforce that the kitten’s behavior was inappropriate. If you sat and tolerated your kitten’s biting you, you’d be reinforcing the behavior. Removing yourself removes the “fun” from the situation for the kitten.

Instead of letting your kitten chew on you, redirect his attention to an appropriate toy. You can attempt to play with your kitten again, but if he bites you, repeat the process and redirect him to the toy.

What not to do

If your kitten does bite you, you might be tempted to shout or to even push the kitten away firmly. It’s important to avoid both of these options. Frightening your kitten won’t help, and physical punishment is unfair and inappropriate, especially since biting is instinctive for kittens.

Instead, focus on ways you can help your kitten satisfy his need to play and chew. Consider buying an assortment of toys your fur baby can bite into. Experiment with different toy sizes and textures until you find the toys that your kitten most prefers. If your kitten is teething, he may prefer softer toys that he can easily bite into, since they can create some gum pressure to help relieve pain. Once you discover the toys that your kitten prefers, disperse them throughout your home so that you can always quickly grab one when needed.

Making sure that your kitten spends plenty of time playing can also help reduce his biting, especially if he’s biting to explore. Wand toys and laser toys can give your kitten a great workout, so he gets rid of excess energy instead of trying to play with your hands and feet.

It’s also important to get your whole family on the same page when it comes to handling your kitten’s biting. If one person permits the biting but another one tries to prevent it, you’ll be sending your kitten mixed messages. Instead, discuss the appropriate steps to take when the kitten bites to ensure that everyone in your home will react the same. This repetitive, consistent approach will be clearer to your kitten and can help him understand more quickly that biting humans isn’t allowed.

Stay the course

As your kitten grows, you’ll need to teach him important lessons like not to scratch the furniture and not to bite people. You’ll need to be patient and persistent while teaching your kitten, and there may be days when it feels like you’re getting nowhere. Keep at it, though. Your kitten will slowly get the message, and you’ll gradually see an improvement in his behavior. He might bite less, or he might bite more gently. With time, your kitten will learn that this behavior isn’t allowed, and he’ll understand that he can bite and play with other things, like toys, as enthusiastically as he likes.

Not establishing a routine

To be successful at potty training, it’s crucial to stick to a routine. You’ll be teaching your newest family member that there’s a time to eat, a time to run and play, and a time to do his business. Here are some tips to help you stay on schedule:

• Training experts at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)  say that feeding your pup at the same times each day will make it more likely that he’ll eliminate at consistent times as well, easing training for both of you.
• Plan on taking your dog to the pee pad at least every two hours and immediately after he wakes up, during and after playing, and after eating or drinking. Your puppy won’t automatically know what the pee pad is for, so you’ll need to introduce him to the concept of using it. While your pup is relieving himself on the pad, say the command you plan to use to remind him why he’s there. “Go potty” or “be quick” are popular phrases.
• As soon as your dog has finished doing his business, give lots of praise and a treat. You want him to associate eliminating on the pee pad with a positive response from you.

Giving your puppy unsupervised freedom in the house

During potty training, you can’t let your pup roam around the house unsupervised. That gives him lots of opportunities to eliminate where he shouldn’t and prolongs the training process. Here are three options for restricting his movement:

• Trainers recommend using a crate when housebreaking because most pups won’t soil where they sleep. Be sure to lead him to the pee pad as soon as you let him out of the crate. Puppies under 6 months of age shouldn’t be kept crated for more than three or four hours because they can’t control their bladders or bowels for that long, according to the HSUS.
• If you prefer not to use a crate, you can confine your puppy to a small space in the home such as a mudroom or bathroom. It’s best to choose a room without a rug or carpet so puppies don’t get confused between using the rug and the pee pad.
• It’s fine to allow your dog time with you in the house as long as you are always supervising him. Training experts recommend tethering your puppy to you or a nearby piece of furniture with a 6-foot leash so that he doesn’t wander off and eliminate around the house when you’re not watching.

Not learning to read your dog’s body language

To succeed at potty training, you have to learn to read your dog’s body language. Typical signals that he needs to do his business include:

• Barking
• Squatting
• Restlessness
• Whining
• Sniffing the floor
• Circling

Once you learn your pup’s signals, you can take him immediately to the pee pad and reward him for a job well done.

Getting angry when your puppy has an accident

Accidents are part of potty training. Chances are, your dog will have several soiling accidents around the house before he’s fully trained, say experts at PetMD. Your job as a responsible pet parent is not to overreact when it happens. Rubbing your puppy’s nose in the accident or taking him to the spot and scolding him is not only cruel, but it also ruins the bond between you and your dog. It will make your pup afraid of you and fearful of eliminating in your presence. Punishment will do more harm than good, according to HSUS experts. Here’s what to do instead:

• If you catch your puppy in the act of eliminating, try to stop him by saying something like “Whoops!” or startle him with a sudden noise. The noise should only be loud enough to distract your dog and not to scare him. As soon as he pauses, take him immediately to the pee pad to finish eliminating and give him a treat.
• If you do discover an accident around the house, just quietly clean it up. To avoid repeat accidents in that same spot, use a cleaning product specially formulated to remove odors such as Nature’s Miracle or Arm & Hammer.

How long it will take to potty-train your puppy depends on the individual dog and how consistent you are with your training. For some pups, it might take only a week or two before they are reliably using the pee pad. However, trainers say pet parents should continue following the frequent potty-break schedule and rewarding dogs for using the pads for at least six months. Your diligence and patience will be rewarded in the end, and you can relax as your buddy enjoys free run of the house.

They make maps in their brains

Common wisdom has held that birds use magnetic fields to find their way home during migration, and these directionally smart animals may do something similar. However, sound waves and landmark recognition might play parts as well in their instincts. Regardless, pigeons have an innate sense of where home is and what is around it. Because their minds have a detailed view of routes, they can even learn multiple go-between locations, like a nest and a feeding spot. You’ll need a GPS, but your little bird will use his ancestral intuition to take him home.

Pigeons can go more than 100 miles

In fact, competitive birds in races go for hundreds of miles per day. You should start small, though. When pigeon training, you’ll want to begin with just a mile trip and work your way up to your goal. Carefully determine your location, or both locations if you’re doing a journey, and make sure they are good. You should take into account any hazards along the way and confirm your bird will be as safe as possible. For example, you wouldn’t put his nest next to an angry den of coyotes or his loft alongside a piece of barbed wire. 

This bird can carry 10% of its body weight

Or about 1.5 ounces in total. You’ll need something to fasten your letter or tiny package onto your avian, too, so take that into account when you design the setup. Many owners choose to give their pigeons little backpacks to hold on to the message. While fabric is light, it doesn’t always hold up against the elements, so you should look into metal tubes, which are popular as well. The best news: Environmentalists have been adding lightweight sensors to pigeon packs to get vital info on climate change. 

You might see them at weddings

Most homing pigeons look like … well pigeons. You’ll recognize their grayish feathers with a touch of iridescent green if you’ve ever seen the street variety. However, these birds are special in that they come in many shades. You can find slate-gray, silver-striped, and amber-barred homers that each have a slightly different look. But the most attractive pigeon award has to go to the all-white variety. Because they can get back all on their own, pigeons often grace weddings. Don’t worry, they aren’t imposters: Doves and pigeons are really the same thing. Before getting your own set, think carefully about which colors you want, though that won’t make much difference in the training part. 

These guys start young

As with other animal instruction, you want to get the training on the calendar early in their lives for the most impact. Typically, you’ll begin at about 6 weeks and set up a strict schedule right away. Just like you, it’s best if your bird knows when he’ll be out in the field learning his craft. Of course, you need to give him a good reason to come home in the first place, and reward systems work best. He’ll skip breakfast in the morning as you take him out to his spot, then fly home quickly, anticipating his snack. Make sure it’s waiting there even if you aren’t and carefully hydrate your bird. You don’t want him getting too thirsty (or hungry), since that will be detrimental to his health. 

In addition to the fun part, you need to keep up your pet’s coop since he’ll spend a lot of time in there when you aren’t out training. You want a sturdy and safe loft that allows the whole flock to enter after a long trip but does not allow them to sneak out. And you definitely need to keep everything else out, too. Birds require lots of space to work out and stay in shape for the big excursions. Lastly, set up a bunch of perches along with somewhere to nest if you have a mated pair or are hoping to get one. You might even wind up with a whole new batch of homing pigeons ready to follow in their parents’ wingbeats. 

How to tame an iguana

As with all pets, it’s important to know where your new friend comes from. Any reputable breeder will disclose his origin — don’t be afraid to ask! Wild-caught iguanas will not train or adjust to you well, and you don’t want to disrupt any ecosystems by removing an animal from its natural habitat. Instead, always find a captive-bred reptile or take on a well-behaved rescue.

• Start young if you can. You may wind up adopting an older animal, which can actually save you some of the headache of training. As long as your little pet spends time with humans as a baby, he will love tolerate people holding him later in life.
• Give your pet time to adjust when he first comes home. We actually don’t recommend jumping into a strict training regimen the second he waddles through the door. Everything will surprise your pet at first, and even with the best pet shop, the transportation and new accommodations will shake him up. It can take days or weeks for your lizard to feel at home.
• Iguanas thrive on a schedule. You don’t know what kind of environment he lived in, so find a daily pattern that works well for you both. For example, set an alarm for feeding times and keep his lighting on a timer to make things really consistent. Once he seems calm, takes his meals easily, and keeps to a good sleeping schedule, you should dive in.
• Engage his senses. As part of your routine, he will see, smell, and hear you. That’s good. You want your iguana to acclimate to you and the rest of his environment. Iguanas have pretty good hearing, so keep the excess noise down for those couple of transition weeks (and probably in general).
• Be patient. You might notice some shyness, especially in the first few days. Iguanas can get easily spooked, and you want to keep both yourself and your pet happy. Work up to holding and petting your animal. Start by giving him treats, letting him lick you, and hanging out in his presence.
• Beware of injuries. Many owners wear gloves when they first pick up their pets. Iguanas may bite, but even more so, their tails can be a menace. You’ll see those sharp spikes and know instantly that they hurt. A spooked lizard might whip you and can break skin. Make the first move, but let him come to you.
• Don’t accidentally encourage bad behavior. Once you are playing with your pet frequently, add that to the routine. Try to handle him 15 minutes per day and don’t back down right away if he starts to panic. You don’t want to unintentionally reinforce bad behavior. Calm him as best you can and then take a break.
• After a few months, you’ll have bonded with him, but don’t stop there. It’s still important to spend time together every day or he may become skittish again and lose some familiarity. Remember, just because he likes you doesn’t mean he will immediately take to everyone else. You want to take it slow anytime you introduce your reptile to a new human.

It may seem like a lot of steps, but we promise that it’s worth it. Keep in mind, even if you do everything right, you should still monitor your pet’s moods and give each other space if either of you has an off day. Also, prepare for your animal to change a bit over the years. Iguana teenagers — like all teens — can act out. Expect some weirdness around 2 years of age, or skip that whole phase by adopting an older reptile. Since iguanas can live to be 20 or so, you will have lots of time together, no matter what. Think about that part, too, before bringing home your new leathery companion.