But... My Pet Can't Relax Around Food!

It's Training Cats and Dogs!

Do you dream of a peaceful coexistence between your pets?

Or does your dog launch into action if your cat so much as moves from their spot? Does your cat struggle to relax if your dog is playing?

If only everyone could chill out a little!

Lots of people come my way hoping for just that, which is why I launched the Cool as a Cucumber Challenge. This challenge is for those who want a dedicated program to help their pets coexist peacefully.

But there’s a common wall that people come up against. How do you get dogs and cats to relax around each other when they go bonkers over food? Food reinforcement is a huge part of training and is part of my relaxation protocol, so this episode is all about that.

Before you jump into the Cool as a Cucumber Challenge, here’s a freebie that will help you rethink and outline your food reinforcement strategy so you can get the most out of the challenge.

Key Moments

[0:48] Why you should plan for the unexpected

[1:50] Rethink your food-based reinforcement strategy

[2:26] Why you should sometimes use the lowest-value food you can

[3:58] How our behavior when giving treats influences our pet’s mood

[5:03] How to calmly signal that food is on the way

[6:27] Why you can’t just switch up your reinforcement strategy and expect miracles

[7:15] Why you should refresh your reinforcement strategy before attempting the relaxation protocol

[8:24] How to know your pet’s ready for the relaxation protocol

Key Links

• Cool as a Cucumber challenge
• How to Teach Your Pets to Relax Together