In order to discourage your dog’s habit of soiling your home, it’s important to understand why he’s doing it in the first place. There are several possible reasons, including a host of medical conditions, marking behavior, separation anxiety, and showing submission. We’ll explore each of these factors in more detail below. We’ll clarify the reasons your canine may be eliminating inappropriately, and offer a few tips to help you curb the behavior.

Health Conditions

Dogs often suffer health problems without their owners realizing it. Some of these problems are direct contributors to house soiling. For example, your pooch may have a bladder infection or gallstones. Both can increase urination. Or, he may have Cushing’s disease, a disorder that commonly affects older canines and leads to urinary accidents.

Another common condition in senior dogs is cognitive dysfunction. This is an aging disorder that is accompanied by mental deterioration, increased thirst, and inappropriate urination. Diabetes, issues with the pancreas, and gastrointestinal problems can also play a role.

Make an appointment with the veterinarian to conduct a physical examination for your pooch. If a health issue is causing a urination or defecation problem, it should be identified and addressed as quickly as possible.

Marking Territory

Many animals mark their territory by urination. Leaving a trace of their urine behind is a way to tell others that an area belongs to the animal marking it. Both males and females do it, and learn to do so at an early age.

If you have not yet neutered your male dog, he will be much more likely to exhibit marking behavior in your home. The same is true for an unspayed female. Neutering and spaying often resolves the issue. If your canine continues to mark inside your home, clean the area thoroughly and use a product to eliminate the odor. You may need to cordon off the marking site and confine him to certain areas of your home if he persists.

Separation Anxiety

Sometimes, dogs eliminate inappropriately when their owners are away from home for long periods. As long as their owner remains nearby, the problem is nonexistent. If this describes your canine’s behavior, the issue is likely due to his suffering a degree of separation anxiety.

Does he follow you around the house? Does he appear anxious when you grab your car keys or open the garage door? Does he bark relentlessly when you leave, and greet you excitedly when you return? These are signs that separation anxiety is triggering an elimination problem. The solution involves counterconditioning and desensitization training.

Showing Submission

This problem is more prevalent with young dogs and usually dissipates with obedience training. A young canine may use urination as a way to let others know that he will be submissive to them. Sometime, this is done to show deference to a dominant animal. Other times, the behavior is less discriminatory, which can be particularly frustrating for the dog’s owner.

An effective strategy for breaking the habit is to instill a sense of confidence in your canine. This can be accomplished, in part, by avoiding confrontational training methods, playing retrieval games (e.g. fetch), and exposing him to a variety of environments. Dog treats are a valuable training tool for encouraging confidence and discouraging undesirable urination.

Regardless of the reason for your dog’s inappropriate elimination, realize that he will have accidents, even as you’re trying to curb the behavior. Avoid becoming frustrated since doing so will likely worsen the problem. This is especially true in the case of submissive urination. As with all canine behavioral issues, modification and shaping take time. The payoff is worthwhile.

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This article will provide five important tips for adopting a shelter dog. The following suggestions will help ensure you bring home a healthy, happy, and affectionate canine.

1 – Identify Your Ideal Match

Some breeds are more active than others. Some are perfectly content to sit on the couch all day while others need plenty of exercise. Think about your lifestyle. If you enjoy hiking, jogging, or bicycling, an active breed, such as an American Foxhound, might be more appropriate than a Basset Hound. Also, think about your living space. If you live in a small apartment, a Chihuahua may be more suitable than a German Shepherd. Adopt a pet that accommodates your life.

2 – Get Up Close And Personal

The only way to know whether a given canine will make a good companion is to visit his kennel up close. Take the time to walk through the entire facility and visit as many dogs as possible. Signs of friendliness are easy to spot; you’ll notice a wagging tail, an eager approach, and an excited playfulness. In contrast, if a shelter animal remains in the back of his kennel, and refuses to approach you, that may be a sign of things to come.

Keep in mind, however, that some dogs remain standoffish because they are unfriendly while others are merely shy. The latter can make wonderful companions once they get to know you.

3 – Ask Questions Of The Staff

There’s a good chance the shelter’s staff will have spent significant time with each animal in their care. They’ll know which dogs have quirky personalities, special medical needs, and a spotty history. Speak with the employees (or volunteers) and ask questions regarding the canines that interest you.

Ask about the results of a temperament evaluation (if one was conducted when the dog was admitted). Ask about behavioral tendencies that emerged while in the shelter. Ask whether the canine is friendly, reserved, withdrawn, or playful. It is in the best interests of the shelter to make sure you adopt the right pet. Hence, they’ll be happy to answer your questions.

4 – Get To Know The Frontrunners

It’s one thing to look through the front of a kennel and be immediately drawn to a canine. It is another thing entirely to interact with him. The animal shelter should provide you with the chance to spend time with the dogs you’re seriously considering adopting. Some facilities will let you take the canines for a walk. Others will encourage you to spend time playing with them to see whether you enjoy the interaction. Take advantage of the opportunity. It’s the best way to determine whether a given canine’s temperament is a good fit.

5 – Avoid Rushing Your Decision

Most shelters are willing to hold a dog for you for twenty-four hours. This is a good chance to leave the facility and consider whether a specific canine will fit your lifestyle. Moreover, you’ll be able to do so more objectively without his longing eyes staring expectantly at you. Come back the following day and make your decision. There’s no need to rush.

Adopting a shelter dog is a great way to find a lifelong companion. Use a methodical approach and ask plenty of questions to ensure you bring home a canine that adds to your life.

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This guide has been the biggest selling online dog training guide for many years and for good reason. It contains all of the information you need to go from being a novice to a true expert in dog training. It’s also affordable and can be downloaded online in a few minutes. On top of that, it has a total satisfaction guarantee with a 60 day total cash back refund period. This means there is no risk in trying it.

When you buy Sit Stay Fetch you will have instant access to all of the information you need to correct almost any dog behavior problem. The techniques in the guide are so effective that you are probably going to see immediate improvement in your dog’s behavior.

This probably sounds “too good to be true” but this guide has worked for thousands of dog owners just like yourself so there is no reason that it cannot work well for you as well. With a professional dog trainer like Daniel Stevens explaining all of his tricks you will definitely learn how to make your dog behave appropriately.

And remember that Sit Stay Fetch comes with a real “no questions asked” two month 100% cash back refund period. This means that if you are not pleased with the guide for any reason at all you can easily get all of your money back.

That said, some people may want to hire a pro dog trainer to train their dog for them. If you are one of those people and you happen to live in Austin, Texas then I recommend hiring this Austin Dog Training Expert.

Complete Cat Training and SitStayFetch are recommended for cat and dog training, respectively.

It’s important to understand the role of food during the training process. This includes when to provide treats and how to gradually wean your pooch from expecting them. Below, we’ll explore these issues in more detail.

The Most Powerful Motivator

Your canine enjoys food instinctively. While he looks forward to receiving your praise and enjoying other treats (e.g. going for a walk), nothing can take the place of food as a behavioral motivator. This is the reason most professional trainers encourage owners to integrate some type of edible treats into training sessions. They represent one of the best methods for reinforcing desired behaviors.

A lot of owners avoid using food because they’re worried their dogs might reach a point where they expect a reward for compliance. That is, they’re not complying as much as they are working for a payoff. While this is a possibility, owners can prevent it from happening by first recognizing when a reward becomes a payoff.

Using Treats As Rewards

When you give your canine a treat for responding correctly to your command, you are rewarding him for his obedience. In a way, the food represents a gift. It reinforces his behavior and encourages him to do likewise in the future.

There is a fine line between using food as a reward and relying upon it as a payoff. That line is crossed when your dog refuses to obey and you offer him a treat to coax his compliance. If you’re able to recognize the difference between these two dynamics, you can take steps to prevent this change in perception.

You should eventually wean your canine from expecting a reward each time he successfully responds to your commands. For example, in the beginning, provide his favorite morsel each time he complies. After a week, provide it every two or three times. Then, give him a reward every four or five times. Gradually, you’ll reach a point where you can expect his obedience without the need to provide a treat.

Other Methods To Encourage Desired Behavior

You can accelerate the weaning process by incorporating other rewards your dog finds appealing. For example, when he responds correctly to your commands, consider taking him for a short walk. Or, spend a few minutes playing with him or brushing his coat. While food will always remain his favorite treat, these alternative rewards remind him that his behavior is consistent with your wishes.

A Few Last Tips Regarding Dog Treats

The type of food items you use can play a key role in their usefulness as a training aid. This is not to suggest your canine will find some treats unappetizing; dogs tend to eat practically anything placed in front of them. Instead, some foods are better for his health and less likely to distract his attention.

First, use small, soft food items. Their size makes it easy to provide them liberally without worrying about your canine’s weight. Moreover, the soft texture prevents them from crumbling on the ground. Otherwise, your canine will spend too much time eating the crumbs.

Second, experiment with different flavors. Even though your canine will eat nearly anything, he’ll likely prefer certain flavors over others. If you identify his favorites, he’ll be easier to motivate.

Third, make sure the food items you provide are consistent with his dietary needs. Rather than giving him pieces of a cookie, use bits of cheese, chicken, and pasta (again, experiment).

As noted earlier, food is a powerful motivator for your dog. The key is to use it properly to help him become a better companion over the long run.

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There are plenty of things you can do to help your aging pooch adapt to life as a senior dog. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of exercise, meals that accommodate his age and activity level, and ongoing veterinary care. These are the cornerstones upon which your mature canine’s health depends.

The Importance Of Exercise For Mature Canines

A proper exercise program begins when your pet is a puppy. But it’s important to realize his exercise requirements will change as he ages. In fact, as a senior dog, he may be unable to do some of the things that came easy to him as a pup. Make an appointment with his veterinarian to tailor a program that considers his limitations (e.g. joint pain, reduced mobility, etc.).

One of the reasons exercise is so important for senior canines is because they tend to become overweight due to lack of activity. By taking your pooch for one or two walks each day, you’ll help him keep the extra pounds off. That, in turn, will help him sidestep health issues later.

Another benefit older dogs enjoy from physical activity is that it slows down joint deterioration. Arthritis is common among senior pets as the cartilage that cushions their bones wears away. Exercise delays the inevitable.

Prepare Meals To Fit Age And Activity Level

Owners often neglect to modify the meals they provide their older pets. This leads to obesity, which places excess stress on their dog’s heart, kidneys, and lungs. As your pooch ages, his activity level will decline. If you continue feeding him the same amount of food, his weight will increase. This is the reason it is important to provide meals that accommodate his age and activity requirements.

Your canine will still require a generous portion of proteins, fiber, and fats in order to stay healthy. However, you can afford to cut back on calories since he is unlikely to burn through them. Many commercial dog foods are specifically designed for older canines. They pack their formulations with the nutrients your pooch needs while leaving the unnecessary calories behind.

Provide Ongoing Veterinary Care

Like exercise, regular trips to the veterinarian should start as early as possible. That way, your canine will receive the proper vaccinations, preventative treatments for parasites, and dental exams as a puppy. These elements play a key role in helping him maintain his health as he ages.

When your dog becomes a senior, it is more important than ever that he receive regular physical and oral exams. He’ll need vaccinations to help his weakened immune system fight off diseases. He may need specialized tests done periodically, such as a urinalysis, EKG, thyroid exams, and monitoring of his blood pressure. These tests help your canine’s veterinarian detect problems and treat them before they worsen.

Planning For The End

Eventually, you’ll need to plan for the passing of your senior dog. A lifetime of loyalty and companionship will come to an end. For many owners, the best solution is euthanasia to help their pets avoid suffering in pain. Speak with your veterinarian regarding how it is handled and what to expect following the event.

Senior dogs need special attention and monitoring to help them maintain their health. As your canine’s body changes, his exercise requirements and dietary needs will also change. Work with his veterinarian to design a program that accommodates him.

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There are many contributing factors, but most of them can be traced to one root cause: owners. With a few exceptions, a dog’s owner is ultimately responsible for the weight his pooch gains. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the most common reasons for the extra pounds.

Too Much Food

Every pooch is different. Some are fussy about the foods given them and others will eat everything they see. Some can self-regulate their food intake while others will refuse to stop eating until their bowl is clean. This is the reason it’s important for owners to know their dogs’ tendencies, and build their meal plans around them.

If you’re planning to make food freely available to your pooch (i.e. he has free access to it), make sure he will self-regulate his intake. Otherwise, he will likely eat too much, a sure path toward obesity.

Lack Of Exercise

Some canines are active while others lead sedentary lives. Like people, an inactive dog is more likely to have a slower metabolism. This, in itself, is fine as long he eats an appropriate amount of food consistent with his daily caloric burn rate. Unfortunately, many owners allow their dogs to eat more than necessary despite their lack of activity. Making matters worse, an inactive pooch is likely to eat out of simple boredom.

Your canine needs a regular outlet for exercise. Take him for walks twice each day and modify his diet to provide the calories he needs – and little more.

Breed Susceptibility

Some breeds are predisposed to gaining extra weight. If you own a Labrador Retriever, Collie, or Beagle, pay attention to the amount of food he eats and make sure he receives plenty of exercise. If you own a Standard Poodle (a breed that rarely copes with obesity), it’s less an issue.

Growing Older

Here too, dogs are similar to people. As they grow older, their metabolism slows. This means they require fewer calories each day. The problem is, their learned eating habits drive them to consume more food than necessary given their activity level. Unless owners proactively reduce the size of their dogs’ meals, their canines risk gaining weight.

It’s also worth noting that old canines rarely deal with obesity. This may be due to their declining appetites during their last few years.

Spayed Or Neutered

A dog that has been spayed or neutered is more susceptible to gaining weight than one that is intact. This is due to a decline in metabolism. The canine requires fewer calories each day, which means he is more likely to gain weight if he continues to eat the same amount of food. This is rarely a problem as long as an owner reduces the size of the meals he provides his spayed or neutered pooch.

Stress And Related Issues

Environmental factors can also motivate a dog to eat too much, setting the stage for obesity. For example, stress is often a trigger. If the source of stress is removed, it is seldom an issue. However, in the event the source remains (e.g. a newborn is brought into the home), it can drive the canine to seek food he does not need.

Ultimately, owners are responsible for helping their dogs maintain a healthy weight. This comes from being vigilant over their food intake and providing an outlet for exercise. The benefit for owners is that a healthy dog will make a more pleasant, engaging companion.

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On the other hand, if a pup has been abused or has suffered negative experiences with others early in his life, he will likely display fear and distrust. This can have a major influence on his ability to remain comfortable around other dogs and people.

In this article, we’ll explain how socialization begins with a puppy’s exposure to his mother and littermates. We’ll also describe how puppies learn to relate to the first people they meet, including their new owners.

Mother And Littermates

A puppy immediately learns to trust his mother. She provides warmth and protection. She gives him a feeling of security from the unknown and unexplored world that lies beyond his immediate environment. His mother is also the one who helps him learn how to breathe and eliminate. If his behavior becomes unacceptable, she provides loving but firm discipline.

His littermates provide an opportunity to interact with peers. He learns to play with them and test boundaries. This is the time during which he learns the value of relating to his own kind. Puppies who spend very little time with their littermates before being adopted often have trouble getting along with other canines in adulthood.

First Exposure To People

Professional breeders try to expose puppies to people within a few weeks of their birth. The earlier a puppy interacts with people, the more comfortable he will be around them throughout his life. Many breeders encourage kids to hold and pet the puppies in their care within the first week following their birth. As long as the interactions are supervised and children are taught to be delicate with the pups, this early exposure can prove invaluable.

Meeting Your Pup For The First Time

Most breeders prefer to keep puppies for seven weeks before allowing families to adopt them. During this period, the pups spend most of their time in the company of their mother. By the fourth week, they are spending an increasing amount of time away from their mother, and interacting with people. By the end of the seventh week, the pups are released to their new families.

When you bring a new puppy home, it’s important to continue his socialization. During the first week away from his mother, avoid abandoning him for long periods of time. He will feel a sense of loss for his mother and littermates. Spend time with him to keep his attention occupied.

A lot of puppies go through a phase near their eighth week during which they suddenly display apprehension for anything that is unfamiliar to them. This lasts for a couple of weeks. It will pass.

Providing Ongoing Opportunities For Socialization

The first twelve months of a puppy’s life are very impressionable. The experiences to which he is exposed will shape his behaviors for the rest of his life. It is critical that you take every opportunity to introduce your pup to new people and environments. Take him to a park where others bring their own pets. Take him on walks using different routes that expose him to a variety of other owners and their pets.

An ideal outlet for meeting others is within group obedience classes. This gives your puppy a chance to interact with his own species and other people in a friendly and controlled environment. He’ll learn that those who are unfamiliar to him pose no threat.

A puppy who has received proper socialization early in his life typically develops into a friendly, happy, and well-adjusted adult dog. These are the qualities that make for a more pleasant canine companion.

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The second reason involves how dogs interact within their pack. Jumping is an expression of dominance within the hierarchy. In your home, you are the pack leader. If your pooch jumps on you, it might indicate he wants to usurp your position.

Third, canines jump because their owners have either encouraged the behavior or have done nothing to discourage it. This often evolves over time as the dog gains confidence his jumping is not only acceptable, but welcome.

Allowing the behavior to persist is dangerous, especially if it is triggered by a desire for more authority in your home. With this in mind, we’ll provide four quick tips below that you can use to break the habit.

Get On His Level

When you greet your canine, do so from a kneeling position. That way, you’ll remove his opportunity to jump on you. If he attempts to jump, immediately tell him “no!” and block his body with your knee. Don’t allow him to place his front paws on you.

When his feet are back on the ground, command him to sit. Greet and pet him – again, in a kneeling position – only after he complies.

Downplay Your Arrival

A lot of owners encourage their dogs’ jumping by immediately greeting them whenever they arrive home. Doing this communicates to your canine that your arrival is a significant event. Through repetition, he will learn to become excited, which makes him far more likely to jump on you.

Whenever you come home, ignore your canine for at least ten minutes. Don’t greet or pet him until that time passes. During the first few days, keep a spray bottle within reach. Spray him if he tries to get your attention by jumping on you. Also, ask your friends to do the same thing whenever they visit.

Master The “Sit And Stay”

Dogs can learn to sit on command within a single day. This command is critical for discouraging your pooch’s jumping. A canine that complies when you tell him to sit is less likely to jump on you. Sitting has a calming effect. For this reason, make sure your dog has mastered the sit command.

While canines can easily learn to sit, they have more difficulty staying still. Invest the necessary time to train him. Start with short periods and gradually lengthen them, using treats as training incentives. The effort is worthwhile. Like sitting, staying still has a calming effect and subtly discourages jumping.

Avoid Competitive Games

This is another activity in which owners participate without realizing it inspires their dogs to jump. They’ll engage in competitive games with their canines. For example, they’ll play tug-o-war with a rope or chew toy. Or, they’ll wrestle with their dogs.

This leads to problems because dogs do not understand that a specific behavior may be acceptable during certain times and unacceptable during others. Instead, they learn the aggressive activity is acceptable at all times. The competition also trains them that challenging their owner is acceptable.

Look for opportunities to play with your pooch, but avoid participating in “harmless” games that pit both of you against each other.

Training your canine to stop jumping on you, your family, and your friends should take less than a week. The key is to be consistent in your approach. Consistency removes any confusion and reinforces your desired message. Your dog will quickly learn to conform to your wishes and interact with you on your terms.

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categories: dogs, dog, dog training, dog owners, dog behavior, train dog

Each expression has a different purpose. For example, if he barks, he’s doing so to make a statement about something; if he howls, he’s communicating with others far away; if he growls, that means he is issuing a warning. A whine is basically a request for attention or care, but that request may have different triggers.

If you can determine the reason your canine is whining, you’ll be better able to identify whether he truly needs your attention. With this in mind, we’ll describe the most common reasons dogs make this sound.

Learning The Habit Early In Life

The behavior forms early. When your pooch was a puppy, he learned to whine in order to get his mother’s attention. His mother likely found the sound to be impossible to ignore. Her quick response reinforced the behavior. Thus, at an early age, your dog learned that whining resulted in his receiving his mother’s attention.

When puppies are first adopted, they continue the behavior until it becomes clear that doing so fails to produce the same result. If their owner responds in a manner that is similar to their mother’s response, the habit is further reinforced. If the owner responds only to check whether the pup is okay, but leaves soon after, the habit wanes. Adult canines that persistently whine do so because they have learned the behavior is still effective.

Separation Anxiety

Many dogs whine when they are left alone. They become anxious when nobody is present, especially their owner. In severe cases, a canine might start whining when his owner leaves him with other people. It is his way of expressing his desire to be near his owner.

Excitement Or Anticipation

A lot of canines begin whining because they are excited about something. Triggers can include anything that grabs your pooch’s attention and creates an expectation. For example, he might hear you arrive home from work and stand by the front door to greet you. If he hears you talking on the other side of the door, he may start to whine in anticipation.

Owner’s Attention

Some dogs whine simply because they crave their owner’s attention. For example, they might yearn for their owner’s direct eye contact. Or, they may want their owners to pet or praise them. Any response that implies their owner’s interest – even yelling – can seem desirable to them.

Discomfort Or Pain

If your pooch is suffering from discomfort or pain, he will likely express himself through whining. With this trigger, the behavior is often instinctive; he may not even realize he is doing it. For example, it’s not uncommon for canines to whine while recovering after a surgical procedure. The sound is not meant to draw attention from their owner. Instead, it is an automatic response to the pain.

In most cases (with the exception of pain as a trigger), whining is similar to nearly any undesirable behavior: it can be modified with training and repetition. That said, curbing the behavior in your dog may require patience, especially if he has spent his entire life accustomed to people responding to his whining.

Give him plenty of exercise and make sure his diet is healthy. Incorporate dog treats and a clicker to reinforce desired behavior. A single click and his favorite treat after he stops whining will gradually teach him the value of resisting the urge. Over time, he’ll learn that his whining does not produce the results he wants.

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On the other hand, biting problems are common and quite normal in case of puppies. This problem arises mostly during their teething period when they have an uncontrollable urge to chew and bite on anything and everything. Though a puppy bite might break your skin it will not pose any other serious problems. However, this is the right time and age to train your puppy not to bite ever again

Don’t be cruel to your dog or excessively harsh with the discipline, but let your dog no when he bites you too hard. If your dog bites you hard, pull your hand away immediately and say ouch, or bad dog, or something like that. Let him know that he has hurt you.

Most often, biting problems in dogs are caused due to psychological problems. Mostly, dogs do not bite just to hurt someone. They try to bite when they want to hold on to something or they bite to warn someone of something. They also take a bit just to play. If you do not take the effort to correct the biting problem when your dog is still a puppy, then this problem might escalate to cause grave problems

But then, some dogs are naturally aggressive and bite because they are inherently temperamental. To take care of such dogs you have to send them to an obedience school.

You have to take this problem very seriously and take steps to find the best help. Getting help from professional dog trainers are probably the only option to solve this problem.

In case your neighborhood has a dog with biting problem, your defence is to keep a pepper spray handy. Do not hesitate to use the pepper spray when a dog tries to bite you. If you are squeamish about using a pepper spray, then try to make friends with that particular dog with the help of a beef jerky.

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