How To Potty Train Your Puppy...

Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog that needs house training there is a lot of work and time that goes into that process.  It is also important to remember if you have rescued an animal that they may or may not have had the best history with humans so positive reinforcement is especially important with these animals.

So how does the process work?  Well there are several things to remember when doing this for your dog.  Having a crate can work to your benefit because dogs don't like to "go" where they sleep.  Get a crate that is just big enough for them to stand up and turn around in so they don't have enough room to go to the back and do their business.  While this won't guarantee a puppy won't mess up their crate it should help tremendously.  Adult dogs should be able to hold it all day, however.  Timing is also key when house training.  Puppies should be taken out frequently and especially after they have eaten or drank water.  They should be taken to the same area and when they do go potty then they should be praised so they know that was a positive action.  Watching adult dogs in the house while training is important because they tend to circle when looking for a spot.  When you see this happen, take your pet outside for a potty break and when they potty then praise them for that action just as you would a puppy.

http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/Potty%20Training%20Basics.htm

Teaching a word for going potty is also good as well.  I personally use "outside" for my dogs.  They go crazy when I say it whether they have to potty or not and will at least try to potty when they do get in the backyard.  They know it's playtime and mom time when they get out there as well so all positive things for them.  If it's morning and I know they haven't finished everything when they want to go inside I will say "no, go potty" and point to the same area every time.  It does usually work the first time but sometimes takes a couple of times.

http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/house-training-your-puppy

So what is going on with your dog if these things don't work?  Well your dog may have a medical issue such as a urinary tract infection that will cause him/her to urinate inappropriately.  Animals do things like this to tell us something is wrong.  Either they are not happy, they don't feel good or are uneasy about something.  Separation anxiety will also cause a myriad of problems and inappropriate elimination is one of them.  If you have recently changed your pet's food then s/he may have some gastrointestinal upset that is not pleasant for you or your pet. 

Please do not punish your pet for these actions because they do not like for these things to happen.  They simply want to please you and by doing these things they are telling you something is wrong.  They can't talk so this is the only way they know how to tell us when they don't feel good.  Take your pet to the vet or talk to a behaviorist or both.  There is always a reason for the action; that I can promise you.  I have worked with animals too long not to know this statement is true.

If you have any comments or questions we do welcome them.  Tell us any topic you'd like to see discussed and don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook!  Tell your family and friends about us and as always thanks for reading.

The Weekend! What Are You Going To Do?

Well it's the day most of us wait for...Friday!  So what do we do?  Wash the car?  Mow the lawn?  Why not take the dog out to the park or better yet walk down the trails in your area?  Take him/her to the local pet store if the weather is bad for some extra socialization.  My dog, Lucien, absolutely loves the pet stores because he gets tons of attention and gets to see other dogs which just makes his day.  I don't have to buy him anything at all.

What are some other ideas?  Why not work on some of your training with fido? If your dog is already properly trained then there's no reason you can't either teach a new trick or go over some old ones.  Working on recall is always a good one because if your dog runs toward something (a rabbit, for instance) then you want really good recall with your dog so you can get curious fido back.

If your dog loves to swim then there is always the local lake to take a swim in and maybe throw a ball or stick in the water if he/she likes to retrieve.  It's great exercise and also a really good way to show off how well trained your dog is because we all know what proud parents we can be when they actually do what we taught them to do.

This was too cute not to post.  Newfies are great water dogs and awesome swimmers.

Swimming is also very low impact so it's great on their joints but such a wonderful workout for them as well by strengthening muscles just like in humans.  It does the very same thing without the added stress of impact like running or even walking gives.

If your dog does love to walk or run then by all means take them out! We all need exercise so what better way than to take the dog.  It not only gets him/her out in the fresh air but also occupies their mind and you can also work on some things like sitting at intersections and sitting when a car passes which is always good and extremely safe.

Let us know what you like to do with your dog when you take him/her out.  Post some pictures too!

As always we welcome comments, questions and any topic you'd like to see discussed here.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and of course tell your family and friends about us.  Thanks for reading!

Dogs And Children...They Can Get Along.

You have a dog and you also have small children but are concerned that one day your dog will turn on the kids because they are so loud and rambunctious.  Do you give the animal up because of your concerns?  Has this already happened and you think the only thing to do is surrender the dog?  Here's some ideas that might help you reconsider this decision.

**What I'm about to say is completely animal dependent and will depend on the personality of the animal.**

What was going on when the incident happened?  If the dog was eating or had just got done eating then the dog is still thinking along the lines of food so anything that gets in the way of that might be considered a threat.  Keep small children, or any child, away from your dog until the dog is COMPLETELY done eating and licking the area around where the food was placed.  If you have an infant then do not let the dog around the child during feeding time as the dog might lick the child and may eventually see the child as a food source.

If the kid(s) are playing rather loudly and making quick movements around a dog that is resting then the dog may be startled and nip the kid(s) to let them know that's not appropriate.  That is what they do to their own children.  This is not aggressive behavior at all but merely behavior modification.  Just tell your children to play elsewhere the dog is tired and wants to nap.

So you're pregnant and the dog is great with you, maybe a little more protective, and you aren't sure how s/he will do once the baby arrives.  There are so many ways to get your dog used to the idea of the new baby such as having him/her around children prior to the birth, letting him/her sniff baby clothes, mention the baby's name a lot, etc.  Making it the most positive experience for the dog and for you is key.

This link is to a wonderful behaviorist who can answer any questions you may have as to appropriate introductions or any issues you may be having.  She has dealt a lot with rescue animals and has a rescue pittie (pit bull) herself (you have to ask her about Windsor if you contact her).  Her name is Jennifer Shryock and the business name is Family Paws.

http://familypaws.com/

It is also extremely important to remember that no matter how much training your dog has had or how good the dog is with children you must NEVER leave them alone together.  Anything can happen by accident and you MUST teach your children how to interact with any animal appropriately.  You, as the parents, are the key to that success.

There are trainers you can contact as well if you want to work on some things with your dog or have questions or need to start your puppy in some basic classes.  One trainer I am personally a fan of (I used them when I had my rottweiler and they worked wonders with her and me) is:

http://www.nck9solutions.com/

They are extremely professional and very easy to work with.  Donnie was my trainer and if you don't have a thick skin and can handle some direct constructive criticism then they have other very qualified trainers as well.

Above all, make sure everyone is safe and remember your dog is just that...a dog and not a human.  Responsible parenting doesn't stop with the non-furry children.  It extends to the furry ones as well.  Click on the above links or check out my other post about introducing pets to children to get some more ideas on this topic.

As always, we welcome questions, comments and topics you'd like to see discussed here.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and be sure your family and friends know about us as well.  Thanks for reading!

Are You Really The Alpha In Your Dog's Life? What Does That Even Mean?

As dog owners it is our responsibility to be the "alpha" in the relationship.  This just simply means you're the boss.  Like with your children someone has to be in charge and that is YOU.  It really is not hard to become alpha but it does take persistence and consistency.  I personally learned that the hard way with my rottweiler.  She was hard headed and stubborn but I was more stubborn than she was so I won, but never stopped letting her know I was still in charge.

Training is very important as well.  This can never stop over the course of your dog's life because, depending on the breed, they always need something to learn and do in order to keep themselves busy.  Whether it is interactive toys, playtime, agility training, etc. it doesn't matter.  Keeping your dog's mind occupied and stimulated is important because a bored dog is a destructive dog.  Here are some links that have some great information:

http://www.dog-adoption-and-training-guide.com/alpha-dog.html

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/topdog.htm

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/alpha1.html

http://www.nck9solutions.com/

The last link you visited, as you noticed, is a trainer's website.  This trainer is in the Raleigh, NC, USA area and is one of the best I have found.  They are honest, knowledgeable and will work with you no matter what problem you are having.  Ultimately they are training you and not your dog.

Now, all of this being said, what is really the worst thing that could happen if you don't train your dog?  I mean you have the sweetest dog on earth right?  Yes, we all do.  However, if you don't train and socialize your dog then you will have a dog that will bite your visitors, makes walking very stressful because he/she will go exactly where he/she wants to and will take you with them because you let them, one that will growl at you if you try to take a food bowl away and one you can't take to pet stores or dog parks.  Now that sounds fun doesn't it.

A lot of small dog owners think it's cute when their little one barks their little heads off at other people or growls at them.  I can tell you it is not cute or appropriate behavior from any size dog.  This behavior needs to be changed by you becoming alpha.  Little dogs need an alpha just like big dogs.  Size doesn't matter.

 

As you can see from these two pictures, these dogs are showing aggressive or maybe territorial behavior.  The top picture shows the human walking away from the barking dog which means the dog has won and thinks he is now above that human which is obviously not what you want. A calm, confident dog that is social and most importantly listens to you is what you want.

So what do you do?  Well your stance says a lot to your dog.  So does your tone of voice.  I'm not talking about yelling, but a firm and stern tone definitely gets the point across.

Personally the most important thing for my dog has been consistency and persistence.  That really is key.  He gets really excited when I get home and tries to jump.  I simply ignore him until he's calm and then he gets love.  I actually do that with both the dogs when they are both in that mood and it has worked really well thus far.  It's always a work in progress but nonetheless it is working. 

I hope my few tips have given you some ideas and you will contact a trainer in your area if you are having problems with your dog.  Also, if you have a little dog such as a yorkie, maltese, etc. please do not think their barking incessantly or growling is cute.  It's not.  It simply means your 5 pound dog is in charge of you and your home.

As always we welcome any productive and respectful comments and questions.  Please let us know if you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here and don't forget to tell your friends and family about us!  Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter as well.  Thanks for reading!

Adoption...Is It Really Better Than Buying?

Working with a rescue organization can be very taxing and very rewarding at the same time.  It takes a lot of time, energy, money (personal and organization) and emotions.  It is definitely not for everyone.  However, when you see an animal that has been thrown away by its former owners get a new home where you know they will be spoiled forever it is the best feeling in the world.  So my question to everyone is...do you think adopting a pet is better than buying from a breeder?

Well today is going to be a personal opinion type of day so here goes.  I personally do not think one is better than the other.  My friend Thor (whom you have already read about) is from a breeder and has arthritis, allergies, has had two elbow surgeries, and now we found out he has Wobbler's Disease (a cervical or neck spine issue where the vertebrae compress on the spinal cord and cause pain and eventually paralysis-the only cure is surgery).  His sister Megan (from a different breeder and litter) who is 19 weeks old hasn't shown any signs of any issues whatsoever.  Both from breeders. 

Rescued animals can have issues just like pure bred animals and I personally just believe it is genetics and what the animal has been through that creates who they are medically.  I've seen cats who were living outside, eating who only knows what, come into the rescue group and come to find out they have allergies to the commercial cat food. 

"Pitt Bulls" were originally used for nannies

This is actually what "Pitt Bulls" were bred for

Does either animal make a better pet?  Absolutely not.  It completely depends on the temperament of the animal.  I believe rescue animals appreciate the love, attention and a good home much more than those from breeders but that does not make them better pets.

What do you look for if you are adopting from a rescue organization?  Most importantly what medical care the fee covers.  I say this because if the fee doesn't cover at least 1 or 2 (depending on the age) distemper (FVRCP for cats) , a deworming, a FIV and Feline Leukemia or HW (heartworm) test depending on whether it's a dog or cat, flea treatment, heartworm prevent for dogs, rabies, spay/neuter and a microchip then you should really look elsewhere.  No matter whether you are looking for a dog or cat there are certain things that are a minimum for rescue groups to take care of medically and in my opinion that is really the very basic and should be done.

Another thing you should look at is whether or not the group has a facility where the cats/dogs are held or if they are in foster homes.  Dogs should really be in a foster home so the socialization is better.  Cats can be in either but, in my opinion, a foster home is so much better because it gives the animal the chance to learn how to behave in a home with a family and get used to certain things like family life, kids, dogs, other types of pets, etc.

However, breeders have their animals in a home environment more than likely (if they don't I would personally look elsewhere) so that is not an issue for these animals.  There should also be a minimum amount of medical care done on these animals as well and especially for large breed dogs and cats such as maine coons a cardiac check should be part of that process.  The breeder should be ready and willing to give you the information on this as well.  If they are not then be very skeptical and strongly consider going elsewhere.

Some people use pure bred animals as a status symbol and enjoy telling people they have a pure bred animal.  That is not what a pet is supposed to be so if that is what you want the pet for then I'd rather you not get one at all. 

So what should you do?  Consider adopting first if at all possible.  Thousands of animals are euthanized over North Carolina weekly and millions all over the United States because there are too many in the shelters.  They have to make room for the new ones being dropped off so they have to euthanize the ones that don't get adopted the week before.  Some of the shelters do not use very humane ways of euthanizing animals and will use a gas chamber where they pile in a bunch of animals and gas them to death.   Does that remind you of the Germans during Hitler's reign?  It's cold, harsh and not fun to think about but it's the truth.

If you have to have a pure bred animal then do your research first to make sure you understand the breed.  For instance, if you want a rottweiler then you should know they are stubborn, hard headed, solid muscle and should start training at a very early age so you don't have an unruly rottie on your hands.  Unruly rottweilers are dangerous and will probably end up in a shelter and euthanized.  Socialization is important for all dogs and other animals but especially breeds people tend to be afraid of and not understand like Rottweilers and Pitt Bulls (althought that name is a culmination of several different breeds in and of itself).  Also, regardless of the breed you choose the dogs should be temperament tested.

I hope I have given you something to think about whether you adopt or buy and as always please let us know if you have any questions, comments, concerns.  Also, if you want a topic discussed please send it to us and we will definitely get it on the blog. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and tell your family and friends about us!

Fostering...How Do You Get Started and Who To Foster For?

Are you thinking about a new pet but not sure about the commitment?  What about fostering?  There are a lot of organizations in the area who are full to the brim with cats and dogs who need foster homes.  There are animals taken to the shelters every day that need either a foster home or adoptive home.

So what is involved in fostering?  Do you have to adopt the animal?  Well the involvement depends on the group and you.  Some groups pay for food and litter as well as vet care (for cats) and some do not.  Some groups will pay for training for dogs and some will not.  It just depends on funding and whether the group has a trainer involved or not.  As far as adopting the animal goes, you should never be required to adopt an animal as as foster parent.  If that is part of the requirement you should not foster for that particular group.

Fostering can be very emotionally demanding and very emotionally draining because the animals you are fostering often have emotional issues from being surrendered.  They are confused, scared and do not know what is going on.  They have to learn they are safe and may have been abused so they have to overcome the mental issues from that as well.  Some animals never overcome the demons from abuse depending on the level of abuse.  The type of abuse may have to be taken into consideration as well.  For instance, if a cat was used as bait for a dog fighting ring he/she may be afraid of dogs and may not be but that will be very easy to tell. 

This is a scared cat that will probably fight back

Medications may also be involved in fostering as well so it may be necessary for you to administer them for a cold or other infection if they have had an injury or ear issues, etc.  Like humans, though, it's important to follow the vet's directions and give the medications as directed.

Fostering is also extremely rewarding, though.  When a family finds your foster is the right one for their family and takes them home and they have already fallen in love with their new pet, you have a sense of pride and sadness at the same time.  Pride comes from knowing where they came from when you first got them and where they are now and the sadness comes from watching them 'leave the nest' so to speak.  I always ask for pictures and send follow up emails checking in to make sure things are going well.  It's very important to do that so the people do not feel they are alone and just got dumped with a new animal and they do not have any support if something goes wrong.

Here is more information about fostering:

http://fosterdogs.com/getting-involved.html

http://matadornetwork.com/change/beginnersguide-to-fosteirng-animals/

www.calvinspaws.org

http://www.wakegov.com/pets/foster/Pages/default.aspx

For those in the Raleigh, NC, USA area I've included two good groups to contact about fostering.  Anyone interested in those groups can either contact them directly or send me a note and I will help you get involved.  There are many ways to volunteer your time besides fostering as well, but that is the biggest need.

Please considering fostering a homeless animal or volunteering with your local rescue organization or shelter.  As always, we welcome your comments, questions, and/or concerns regarding any of our posts and if you would like to see a topic discussed please let us know.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us!