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Struggling To Get Your Puppy To Play With You? Try This Trainer's Simple Tip

Woman cuddling puppy and holding toy.

For many of us, one of the best things about having pets is being able to play with them, and we often associate dogs in particular with play.

But, dogs sometimes don't play how we'd like them to. It might be that they get too excited and begin biting, or not engaging in a way that invites a fun play session for both dog and parent. And this can often happen when it comes to puppies, even if you've got one of the best dog toys on offer.

So, when you want to get your puppy to play with you nicely, how do you start? In a new Instagram post, Amelia Steele – or Amelia the Dog Trainer – explains what to do.

If you want to know how to play with a puppy, you're in the right place! Steele begins by explaining that dogs, and puppies in particular, can get extremely hyped up by play, and it can exacerbate problems you might have like biting. So, she recommends teaching your dog how to redirect from something onto a toy, as well as simply how to play.

She's working with a puppy, Noodle, and trying to get him interested in a toy. "The key is I want to get it down really low," she says, "As you can see, he's going for my shoelaces instead so I'm going to keep this nice and interesting and I'm going to keep trying to engage him."

According to Steele, people often give up when the dog stops being interested, but she aims to keep persevering to make the toy interesting to them. She moves the toy around and tries to get Noodle to tug on it, using the toy's squeaker to keep him engaged.

"And then, after a couple of seconds of play, I'm going to stop," she says. "I'm going to grab a treat and I'm just going to reinforce something nice and easy – I'm going to do 'sit' with him because he knows 'sit.'

By doing this, you're taking a break from play and preventing it from escalating. She recommends alternating between play and training with treats, as it helps your dog get better at changing their mindset from wanting to play and being excited to being calmer. And, food calms the brain, so it's a great idea to use food as a reward here.

If you'd like to try out some more games with your puppy once you've tried Steele's advice for a while, why not check out these eight great games for puppies that will keep them entertained for hours?

Angry Cat: 14 Signs Your Cat Is Mad At You

Angry Cat: 14 Signs Your Cat Is Mad at You — Fighting Cats

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Top reasons your cat is angry

Cats can't speak, but that doesn't mean they can't communicate, and they're always trying to tell you something, says Dawn Kavanaugh, cat behaviorist and CEO of All About Animals Rescue. Whether they're happy or sad, in pain, or particularly when they're a little ticked off, they want you, their favorite human, to know it.

Your cat may make angry cat noises, get jealous, seemingly purposefully knock something over, or pee on your new bedspread. Instead of instantly reacting, play detective, says Kavanaugh. Out-of-character cat behavior may be a sign of cat anxiety, cat depression, or something else.

"Your cat needs you to be watching and listening to what it tells you," she says. "You have to figure out what the kitty is trying to say—and perhaps kitty is saying it's angry or upset." A cat's body language can also hold a number of clues to how it's feeling.

As for why your cat is angry, chances are it's afraid, feeling territorial, having a conflict with another cat or a dog, or in pain.

We asked cat behavior experts to share the subtle signs of how your angry cat may show anger. But remember, no matter how your cat is feeling, you, as their human, should always respond with love and patience. Also, find out why scruffing a cat is a big no-no!

Veronika Viskova/Getty Images She watches you from afar

It can be hard to tell if your cat is keeping her distance because she's upset, or if she's staying away because, well, she's a cat and cats are weirdos. But if your furry friend actively avoids you when she's normally playful or keeps away for longer than usual, it can be a sign she's mad, scared, or anxious, says Michael Rueb, cat behavior expert and operations manager for the National Cat Protection Society. Angry cats will keep their distance when they get confused by, say, a sudden loud voice, quick movements, or even an unfamiliar smell on your jacket, he explains. The solution? Let her have her space—she'll come back when she's ready.

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Artem Sokolov/Shutterstock He growls at you

Think it's just dogs that growl? Then you've never seen an angry cat or fighting cats. Angry cats can make a wide variety of noises that signal their displeasure, including a throaty growl, Rueb says. If your bestie is vocalizing his feelings, start by giving him his space and then slowly do things that will create a positive relationship, like feeding, playing with toys, grooming, or speaking softly, Rueb continues. Learning the truth about these little things that make your pet tick will also help replace growls with purrs. By the way, if you're having literal cat fights in your home, here's how to stop a cat from bullying another cat.

She gives you "the look"

What look? If you're a cat owner, you don't even have to ask—cats are masters of showing their feelings through their eyes. "Cats especially become perturbed when their routine is messed up, like if you're late feeding them or during daylight savings time," says Kac Young, PhD, author of The One Minute Cat Manager. The solution is obvious: Cats will do better on a regular, predictable schedule, so do your best to stick to one, she says.

Andreas Krumwiede/Shutterstock She avoids her favorite mouse toy

Toys can actually be a major source of irritation for a cat, Young says. "They get bored with the same toys, so it's important to mix them up or refresh them with catnip," she explains. "Cats need lots of stimuli because they are natural hunters and love the game of chase and capture." That has to do with their hunting instincts, which is also the reason why cats sleep so much.

He hides under the couch and refuses to come out

Hiding is one of the first signs your cat is unhappy or fearful of you or the situation, says Amy Shojai, a certified animal behavior consultant and the author of ComPETability: Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multi-Cat Household. Resist the urge to try to drag your angry cat out of hiding—it's a protective reflex, and if you force him to socialize before he's ready he may become aggressive, she explains. A new study also shows that cats like baby talk AKA, your cat may respond to high-pitched voices.

Myeong Jun Baeg/Getty Images She suddenly gets very fluffy

The very stereotype of an "angry cat" is a kitty crouching with an arched back, fluffed out fur, and a bushy tail, Shojai says. This gives the animal the appearance of being bigger and more intimidating—which often backfires with enamored owners. But no matter how cute or funny you find this posture, now is not the time to try and pet her. Give her space or she may swat at you or bite, she says.

Fajrul Islam/Getty Images His ears look like he's preparing for takeoff

Ears flattened back against the head and slightly sticking out—"like airplane wings"—are a sure indicator your cat is upset, Shojai says. Don't worry too much but do keep your distance. "An all-out attack toward people isn't terribly common and, when it happens, may actually be a redirected aggression," she explains. "Your cat cannot address the real reason for their angst (that darn squirrel trespassing in their yard!), so instead they nail a human hand that tries to pet when kitty is upset."

Africa Studio/Shutterstock She poops on your pillow

Rare is the cat owner who hasn't discovered a "present" in a surprising place. "Eliminating on your bed is a typical sign of feline separation anxiety," Shojai says. Even though it may appear she's an angry cat taking out her frustrations on you, in reality, she is using her own scent as a way to cope with her anxiety. "That they target the bed is sort of a back-handed compliment, because it smells the most like their beloved—you," she adds. As if that's not enough of a reason, here are 8 more reasons you should never let your cat sleep on your bed.

Natallia Dzenisenka/Getty Images He bites your hand when you pet him

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you! Has your cat ever begged to be petted and then bit or scratched your hand? This is called "petting aggression," and it's totally normal (if annoying), Shojai says. "This 'leave me alone' bite doesn't mean he's angry, but that he wants to control the interaction, and the petting that goes on too long overstimulates him," she explains.

Linda Raymond/Getty Images Her tail is all twitchy

One of the first subtle signs that your cat is mad at you is when you see her tail placed low, swishing quickly back and forth, from side to side, says Emily Parker, cat behavior expert at Catological. "Whenever you see the tail twitch, stop whatever it is you're doing that is upsetting her, give her some space, and back off for a while until she calms down," she explains.

Sabina Torres/Getty Images He pees on your clean laundry

Your cat hasn't had an accident since he was a kitten, and now all of a sudden he's peeing all over the house? It's a sure sign he's distressed, says Linda Campbell, a registered veterinary technician specialist in behavior at the Humane Society of Missouri. An angry cat most often urinates on soft surfaces like piles of laundry, sofas, or yes, your bed, she says. It's important to take care of this problem early, before it becomes a habit; talk to your vet if you need help stopping the inappropriate eliminations, she adds. Punishing cats for this type of urination is a common mistake cat owners make.

She refuses her favorite meal

When a cat is upset she may eat less or even refuse to eat at all, Campbell says. Often this is a reaction to a new or unfamiliar situation, a change in routine, or a big event at home, like the birth of a new baby, she says. Keep a close eye on this one, however, as it can also be a sign of illness. If she won't eat for more than a day or two, take her to the vet—it's one of the 11 signs of cat cancer.

Impact Photography/Shutterstock He purrs

Cats purr because they're happy, right? Not always! Purring can also indicate anxiety, fear, or even aggression. If you keep petting a purring cat even after he shows other signs of irritation, you're asking for a swipe or a nip, Campbell says.

Carlina Teteris/Getty Images She scratches your furniture

There's nothing more infuriating than an angry cat that looks you straight in the eye, extends her claw, and then swipes at your new leather couch. Rather than aggression or anger, this is more likely due to your cat marking her territory, says Karen Miura, an animal communicator at Whispers from Animals. "Cats are very territorial," she explains. "Cats perceive the house and yard as their kingdom, so things like claw marks on furniture and urine spray on walls are simply fresh boundary lines." She suggests using a cat pheromone spray to help calm things down and save your sofa.

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How To Get Better At Push-Ups So You Can Crush Your Very First One

Push-ups are one of those classic exercises you see everywhere, from bootcamps to yoga flows to strength workouts—and probably even in your gym class flashbacks. But if you find yourself grimacing whenever they pop up in your programming, you're totally not alone.

There's no sugarcoating it: The push-up can be hard AF. According to a study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, the from-the-floor version requires you to move up to 75% of your bodyweight. Think of it like this: A 150-pound person probably isn't repping chest presses with 55-pound dumbbells right out of the gate, right? Still, tons of exercisers get down if they can't do a push-up.

But we're here to tell you: With some concentrated training, smart progressions, and determination to level up your strength, you absolutely can get your first push-up. We've got a step-by-step expert guide to mastering this popular-yet-challenging exercise.

There are some solid reasons to want to pump up your push-up skills in the first place.

Now, there's nothing saying you have to master this exercise. But being able to do full-on push-ups with good technique can bring a host of legit benefits, including strengthening a ton of upper-body muscles (like your triceps, chest, and shoulders), boosting core stability, and improving your ability to complete day-to-day pushing motions, like heaving open a hefty door, certified personal trainer and performance coach Keith Hodges, CPT, founder of Mind In Muscle Coaching in Los Angeles, tells SELF.

Plus, all you need is your bodyweight, so you can do them anywhere, making them superconvenient. Finally, there's the badass factor: Being able to bust out a set of from-the-floor push-ups is pretty empowering and can be the ultimate confidence booster.

How can I improve my (non-existent) push-up skills?

Sorry, but one of the best ways to better your push-up abilities is to practice the actual push-up motion—just in a more beginner-friendly format. By working your way through various modifications, you can hone good form while building up the specific strength, muscle memory, and movement pattern needed to do the full-on version correctly.

Basically, you want to start by practicing the actual exercise but with less load, eventually adding more until you work your way up to the full-blown thing. This way, you're strengthening all the muscles that help you perform a push-up—including your chest, triceps, shoulders, back, and core—and getting your body familiar with the motion without jumping straight into the OG version. Training the specific movement pattern (rather than just strengthening the muscles in a more general way) is super important, since it helps your brain learn how to execute the motion correctly and maintain good form as you progress to more challenging versions of the exercise, Katie Pierson, CPT, a Montana-based certified personal trainer, spinning instructor, and contributor at Girl Bike Love, tells SELF.

Proper form is super important for doing proper push-ups. If you don't have it quite down, certain muscles, especially in your shoulders and lower back, can end up taking on too much of the work. This can over-fatigue them and ultimately increase your chances of injury, Pierson says. Plus, if you're not engaging all the muscles that should be firing—say, like your core—the move might even feel harder too, since you won't really be moving your whole body as one unit.

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