Before I took the extra time, money and energy to become certified in animal behavior, I used the traditional methods of pet that I was taught in school and on the job. The approach rubbed me the wrong way, so I would try to avoid a lot of struggling by rescheduling an appointment breaking up procedures and using tranquilizers as needed. I had a gut feeling that holding dogs and cats tighter was not helping the overall experience for the pet, the client or myself. A few years later at a veterinary lecture, I discovered I was right. There I learned the concept and protocols of rewarding during  the exam. This not only validated the use of treats,"baby talk" and avoiding strong hold tactics, it opened my eyes to the effect of... [Read More]