The science of animal behavior

Clever Critters trainers understand animal psychology: how animals think, remember, learn and interact with the world. Animals (like humans) learn quite effectively via conditioning. If a behavior brings an animal something desirable, or brings the end of something undesireable, the "reinforced" behavior will tend to occur more frequently over time. The converse, that "punished" behaviors tend to disappear, is also true. However, human and animal definitions of reinforcement and punishment can be different in subtle ways. This is one area in which Clever Critters can guide you.

Clever Critters trainers use both reinforcement and punishment when training. However, if punishments are unpleasant for everyone involved and tricky to perform correctly, the training success for you and your pet goes down. You are far more likely to complete a program that includes lots of enjoyable reinforcements. Discouraging undesriable behavior is appropriate and effective when you know how. Consistently rewarding desireable behavior must be part of any successful training program.

Our trainers come to you, to identify all the reinforcements and punishments your pet receives when the problem behavior occurs. We will help you understand your pet, and teach you to communicate to your pet the behaviors you want to see.

The understanding of pet behavior is changing all the time. Clever Critters trainers spend time reading current journals and books and networking with other animal behaviorists to stay up-to-date on animal psychology.

References from clients and businesses who have used our services are gladly given upon request. Some clients have written testimonials.