Teaching Voluntary Weight Checks
Weight checks are a standard part of every vet visit, but for many pet owners getting their dogs onto the scale can be a drag (literally)! However, with a little target training and lots of treats, weight checks can be easy and fun! In this video, Karen Pryor Academy faculty member Laura Monaco Torelli and exuberant 7-month-old Cheile demonstrate how nose and mat targeting can lead to voluntary weight check success.
Notice how Laura tosses the treats away from the mat to reset the behavior. Once Cheile is targeting the mat reliably, Laura moves the mat onto the scale. This process makes the novel object more of a familiar part of a game Cheile knows how to play than something that is scary and new!
For more tips on how to prepare your clients' pets for successful vet visits, check out our Better Veterinary Visits course!