How do you train your animal companions?

[HarveyDarkey]

[Coyotl]

1. Love them and you don't have to.

They will want to do what you want.

[HopeHoops]

3. Tell that to my 7-month old kittens. Tink jumped up behind the toaster oven via the bread toaster...

... and moments later, Peter shot out into the garage (both known "NO!" places).

For cats, the easiest way to associate the word "NO!" with what it means is by keeping a SuperSoaker handy (even one of the cheap knock-offs). After a while, you don't even have to fill it - just pump the air and they scatter.

[trof]

11. Good luck with that.

Dream on.

[HopeHoops]

2. Not THAT way!

[RedCloud]

4. They do what my parrot tells them to do!

Sit.
Step back dog!
Come here girl.
Want a cracker? (The sucker throws them one too!)

[nolabear]

6. Mine too! African Grey?

Our Pidge calls them by the sounds they make rather than their names but they have it all worked out. She also calls them over and gives them food though her agenda is to get them close enough to gently grab and play with their fur. On a side note she's outlived two dogs and once they're gone she never talks about them again.

As for us humans I find with the dogs we engage them in conversation from the beginning and they catch on fast. We only do that "sit stay " thing for tricks. Even then they know where you're headed and do it before you say it.

[RedCloud]

7. Yep! He must think he is pack leader.

And when outside dogs bark (neighbors)

"Shut UP!"

[hifiguy]

5. My cat has trained me pretty well.

Though I do boot him off the laptop when trying to post to DU.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. Train?

I have cats.

[applegrove]

9. My cats are the boss of me.

[RebelOne]

10. My Chihuahua understands the work "No, No.''

It does not always work, but she knows the word.

[alarimer]

12. I think mine has trained me.

For instance, my cat insists I put food in his dish, even though there's perfectly good (dry) food already there. He's not starving, he just wants NEW food.