Puppies chew as a way to explore and relate to the world around them. The activity is instinctive to them. Unfortunately, if chewing behavior is focused in the wrong direction, it can result in damaged clothes, shoes, and furniture.

It’s important to realize that adult dogs also chew, but do so for a variety of reasons that extend further than mere exploration. For example, your pooch might feel separation anxiety if you leave him alone for long periods. Or, he might be bored. This happens often when canines lack an outlet through which to expend their pent-up energy. Your pooch may also chew on your belongings as a way to get your attention.

Whatever the reasons for the destructive behavior, you can control the problem. Below, we’ll provide a few tips for training your dog to avoid chewing on your possessions.

Use A Crate

Crating your puppy is an ideal strategy for confining him when you’re unable to watch him. Not only will he come to see his crate as his personal space, but you’ll prevent him from ruining your furniture and clothes when you’re not home. If you plan to keep him crated, be sure to give him a few toys with which he can entertain himself.

Provide Chew Toys

The goal is not to eliminate your pooch’s penchant for chewing; again, that’s his way of relating to the world around him. Instead, redirect the behavior toward objects that are acceptable for him to chew.

For example, all pet supply stores sell chew toys that can keep your canine occupied. Some are rubber; others are made from durable rope; still others are designed from strong leather and rawhide. Any of these toys will keep your dog’s attention while providing the stimulation he desires.

Keep Your Departures Understated

Owners often unwittingly worsen their dogs’ separation anxiety by overstating their departures. When they return home, they’re surprised to find their furniture partially destroyed. Downplay leaving your home. The bigger fuss you make, the more likely your dog will sense that your leaving is a major event. That raises the likelihood of his chewing.

Provide An Outlet For Exercise

When canines lack an outlet for physical activity, they become bored. Moreover, their energy level remains unspent and stifled. That’s a recipe for destructive chewing. Make sure your pooch receives at least an hour of exercise each day. He’s less likely to suffer boredom and he’ll have less pent-up energy to direct toward your couch.

Offer A Swap

Puppies find chewing new objects to be irresistible. If you see your pup gnawing on something he shouldn’t be, take the item away and replace it immediately with a chew toy. Avoid getting into a tug-of-war contest with him. Instead, have a toy on hand and swap it quickly.

Some dogs love to chew almost anything they can get into their mouths. Other canines are more selective, though they can cause just as much destruction. Learn to control the problem by redirecting your dog’s chewing behavior to objects you don’t mind being destroyed.

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categories: dogs, canine, puppies, dog behavior, dog tips

Canines are hardwired to protect their territory from intruders. In most cases, they communicate a warning to others by barking; it’s a form of intimidation. If a trespasser fails to heed the warning, your pooch’s barking might turn into pacing and growling as if he is preparing for a physical confrontation. If the trespasser still refuses to leave, the pacing and growling may evolve into an attack.

If your pooch shows signs of territorial aggression, it is important to begin discouraging the behavior as soon as possible. Otherwise, your visitors’ safety might be at risk. This article will provide several tips you can use to discourage your dog from behaving aggressively over his territory.

Before Training Begins

There are a few medical conditions that can influence your canine’s tendency to act aggressively toward others. For example, hypothyroidism causes a deficiency of thyroid hormones and can lead to his feeling overly-anxious. If he becomes agitated enough, his anxiety can potentially prompt an attack.

You should also take precautions to ensure that you and your dog will not be interrupted by strangers during your training sessions. Close and lock your gates, especially if you’re training him off-leash.

Action Steps To Curb Aggressive Behavior

First, make sure your canine receives at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. That will help prevent pent-up energy from contributing to his anxiety or aggression.

Second, devote time each day to training your dog to respond to your single-word commands. Many professional trainers recommend a program that includes two or three short sessions (5 minutes per session is sufficient) each day. Whenever your canine successfully responds to your commands, provide a food treat.

In addition to these training sessions, make your pooch work for everything he desires. For example, require him to sit before serving him meals or giving him attention. Over time, your canine will learn that if he wants something, he must follow your commands to acquire it.

One of the challenges owners have with canines that are territorially aggressive is that their dogs often try to usurp the role of leader. This can be due to several factors, including a laxity toward actively curbing the aggressive behavior. To that end, it may be necessary to place a head halter on your pooch in situations that might provoke his aggression.

For example, if you’re expecting visitors with whom your dog is unfamiliar, a head halter will gently encourage him to submit to your authority. That gives your pooch an opportunity to meet new people, and be rewarded (with treats) for staying calm when others trespass on “his” territory.

The suggestions above are effective for canines whose territorial aggression is based on dominance. If the aggressive behavior is triggered by a fear-based mechanism, a modified approach including desensitization and counter conditioning is necessary. Training in such cases is focused on reducing a dog’s level of fear and changing the manner in which he perceives a potential threat. We’ll address those training issues in an upcoming article.

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The art of persuasion is a good skill to develop when dog training. Your voice is the most important aspect of this skill. It’s important to use your dog’s name before each command, and to use a persuasive tone of voice. Keep your tone of voice low and pleasant, but also firm.

Talk constantly to your dog when dog training. When training your dog to retrieve, you’ll need to persuade him to take an item from you. Great dog training aids for this are very light dumbbells. As soon as your dog starts to take the dumbbell, immediately praise him with a happy and excited voice. And don’t forget to pet him as well.

Never become angry with your dog when dog training. Becoming angry will not help, and is likely to make your dog anxious. To make matters worse, your dog won’t understand why you’re angry with him.

Always remember that your dog is trying to please you. This is the case even when he is not following your commands. Your dog may not understand what you want of him. He is not being deliberately disobedient.

Once your dog understands what you’re asking him to do, he will probably be happy to repeat the action over and over again. Remember, your dog’s prime motivation is to please you, so once he finds an action that pleases you, he’ll be happy to do it again and again.

If your dog does not understand that you want him to take the dumbbell (or whichever other dog training aids you’re using), it may be necessary to gently place the dumbbell in his mouth and then gently hold his jaws closed by placing both your hands around his muzzle. Be careful not to bang your dog’s teeth on the dumbbell.

Dog training sessions are a great opportunity for you to spend some quality time with yoru dog. Yes, dog training takes time and effort. It sometimes takes considerable patience. But always bear in mind that dog training should be a fun time for your and your dog.

Keep placing the dumbbell into your dog’s mouth until your dog actually understands what to do.

Once your dog understands the taking of the dumbbell, you need to extend the reach of the item. Place the dumbbell on the ground in front of your dog and ask him to “Retrieve” or “Fetch”. Then start moving the dumbell further and further away from him. Your dog will soon get the idea.

What are the some of the some of the more important features of dog training? Discover what they are, and discover how dog training aids can assist when training your dog to retrieve, to fetch, and much more.

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As much as we love our canine companions, a dog that is incessantly barking or whining can sour the the best relationship between the dog, hie owner and the people that live in their vicinity. While it is normal for some barking, even in a well behaved dog, what do you do when your dog is overtly vocal?

1. Listen to your dog. It is not whining without a reason and instead of trying to get the dog to shut up, you will do well to find out what the problem is. Perhaps someone has attempted to enter the yard and your dog is chomping at the bit to get out and mark its territory. Maybe it spotted an animal, lacks food or water, or maybe a hurtful little spur got tangled in its fur. Check on the animal to make sure all its needs are met and then work outward and see if there is something external that might be causing the whining.

2. Whining is a distinct sign that your dog is in distress. Many alert owners have saved their dogs from harm by investigating when their dog was whining.

3. Dogs whine when they are feeling lonely. Dogs are very social animals, in their natural settings they live together in packs. If you have been gone all day your dog may be whining out of loneliness. Set aside the first 10 minutes when you get home from work to play and socialize with your dog and you will stop the whining in it’s track. It is also a stress relief for you to interact and love your dog after a stressful day at work.

4. A dog locked out in the back yard is a sure recipe for incessant whining. The dog wants to come in and be with YOU. He misses the companionship with you and will persistently whine for hours until let inside. Keep in mind that if you leave your dog in the yard all day while at work, your dog can be a nuisance for the entire neighborhood. Much better to keep the dog inside the house.

Disciplining a whining dog is not a good idea. Remember, whining is a sign of distress. Punishing the dog will cause even more distress. Instead, find out what your dog’s needs are to take him out of the distress.

More articles to get your dog more well behaved such as Training walking a dog on a leash and housebreaking Yorkshire Terriers can be found on our site, catsdogsandpets.com

categories: dog training,puppy training,dog behavior,dogs,pets,animals,home,family,shopping

Owners have grown accustomed to their canines lifting their legs to mark trees and bushes during routine walks. The behavior is motivated by more than a mere need to urinate (and in some cases, defecate). It is a way to communicate territorial ownership. If it is only done outside, few owners would complain. The problem is that many dogs mark inside the home.

Below, we’ll explain why dogs mark and the function it serves. We’ll also explore why some do it within the home and how owners can effectively curb the behavior.

Part Of A Pack Mentality

As pack animals, canines are naturally driven to protect their territory. When they live together within their pack, their territory represents everything they need in order to perpetuate the clan. Specifically, that includes their mates and pups. Marking serves as a warning to others. It communicates to another animal that it has wandered into claimed territory. In effect, it is trespassing.

There are pheromones within a pooch’s urine that are instantly recognizable to other canines. When a trespasser detects those pheromones, there is little question that another dog has marked the area. That said, canines will also use feces, scratches on the ground, and other signs to mark the ground or an object.

You’ll occasionally notice your pooch marking territory that you have witnessed another pet marking in the past. This is common. The second dog (in this case, your own) is trying to claim the area of the first. This often becomes an ongoing dispute until one or the other eventually concedes defeat.

Why It Happens Inside The Home

If your pooch is marking areas within your home, his motivation is often triggered by the same instincts that lead him to do it outside: protection of territory. He likely understands his place in the hierarchy under your leadership. However, he may be confused or uncertain regarding his place in the presence of a new baby, other pets, or even guests in your home. That is, his marking is a derivative of claiming his territory.

Treating The Cause And Symptoms

Curbing the behavior may be as simple as spaying or neutering your pooch. If he’s intact, there is a 50% chance that neutering will remove his motivation to mark an area - both outside and inside your home. If your canine is neutered and continues to mark, he may be concerned about the presence of unfamiliar dogs nearby. The most effective solution is to simply keep those canines away.

In rare cases, a pooch may mark an area within a home because he has an inflated perspective of his place in the household hierarchy. This behavior is usually accompanied by aggression toward his owner. In these type of circumstances, it is important to enroll the canine into a training program as soon as possible.

Marking is only a problem if your dog does it indoors. Whether due to stress, confusion, or aggression, understanding the behavior holds the key to curbing it.

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categories: Dogs, Dog, Dog Training, Dog Owners, Dog Behavior

Your dog relies upon you to keep him safe both inside your home and outside. Most owners realize that they should keep their canines on a leash while they’re outside in order to prevent their roaming into the street. But, their responsibility extends much further. In this article, we’ll provide five tips that you can use to ensure the safety of your pooch.

#1 - Keep Dangerous Poisons Out Of Reach

Your canine’s appetite isn’t limited to the meals you provide him during the day. Given the opportunity, he’ll eat items that are not meant to be consumed (at least, not by him). For example, he may begin eating antifreeze if it is left within his reach. He might also start eating mouse bait, pesticides, and your own medications. Each of these items can lead to significant health issues. Keep them out of his reach.

#2 - Tag Him

You may think it could never happen, but many owners have learned that their dogs are always willing to explore if they’re given the chance. One of the reasons animal shelters in many cities are overflowing is because canines get loose and roam until they’re found. Put a collar and tag on your pooch. Also, consider microchipping him. Then, once a week, check to make sure his collar and tags are secure.

#3 - Keep His Head In The Car

It is a rare dog that doesn’t love to ride in a car with his head sticking out of the window. The problem is that it invites bugs and debris into his eyes. Plus, if you’re involved in a traffic collision, your pooch can be injured. If he’s going to ride in the car with you, keep the windows up enough to prevent him hanging his head outside.

#4 - Make Him Ride In The Cab

Owners will often place their dogs in the exposed bed of their trucks. This is incredibly dangerous for a few reasons. First, the stopping and starting can throw him off balance, often into the sides of the vehicle. Second, taking a sharp turn while your pooch is elevated on the side of the vehicle can throw him from the back into traffic. If you own a truck and you’re bringing him along, keep him in the cab.

#5 - Have A Veterinarian On File

The worst time to look for a veterinarian is when your dog desperately needs one. You should have the name and contact information of a trusted vet within reach. That includes his or her office phone and an emergency number. You should also have a back-up veterinarian that you can take your canine to in the event your primary vet is unavailable.

Your dog’s safety is at risk from accidents. Whether he’s getting into rat poison, becomes lost, or is riding in the back of your truck, you don’t expect him to get into trouble. It happens unexpectedly. Take the time to make sure he’s as safe as possible.

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categories: Dog Behavior, Dog Training, Dog Care, Dog, Dogs, Pets, Canines

Puppies should be housetrained as early as possible. Over 80% of dogs in the U.S. are kept inside the home by their owners. Failing to properly teach them to control their bladders and bowels will have frustrating consequences later. Fortunately, providing a healthy does of consistent discipline, patience, and attention upfront can help ensure your pup is housebroken early. There will be accidents, so plan for them. In the same way toddlers eventually learn to use the toilet, your puppy will also learn to avoid making a mess in your home.

In this article, we’ll describe two important ground rules that you should follow when housetraining your puppy. We’ll also explain why establishing a routine is critical and how to handle the occasional accident when it happens.

Establishing The Ground Rules

Owners who are trying to housebreak their puppies often punish them when they make a mess, even if they don’t catch them in the act. Avoid doing this. If you see you pup having an accident, a stern “no!” is good enough. There’s no need for punishment; in fact, punishing him can have a negative effect.

Also, be generous with your praise. If your puppy is doing things properly, let him know. Remember, dogs need positive reinforcement from their owners. If you only reproach him when he makes a mess and neglect to recognize his successes, it will have a lasting effect.

The Value Of A Simple Routine

The importance of a regular routine when house training your pup cannot be overstated. The repetition reinforces positive behavior. First, make sure you’re providing your pup with plenty of opportunities to go outside; once every two hours is appropriate because they cannot control their bladders for long. Second, choose a specific spot outside that he can use to eliminate, and stick to it. If he has an accident, place the rags you use to clean it up in that spot. The odor will remind him where he is supposed to eliminate.

Third, establish a routine that includes regular feeding, playing, and walking time for him. That will help him adopt a consistent elimination schedule.

Paying Attention And Dealing With Accidents

When your pup is indoors, watch him. Don’t allow him to roam freely throughout your house. That is an invitation for him to leave a hidden “surprise” for you. Instead, confine him to a certain area and pay attention to signs that he needs to eliminate. When you notice those signs, take him to his designated elimination spot and praise him for his success.

As noted, your puppy will have a few accidents. Don’t punish him. If you catch him making a mess inside, interrupt him without scaring him (avoid yelling or chasing him). Take him to his designated area so he can finish. Then, praise him for it. Too many owners are quick to punish their puppies for having an accident. The result is that a pup learns to fear his owner.

Housetraining a puppy requires patience and diligence. However, if you approach it in the right manner, your pup will not only learn to control himself, he’ll learn to trust you in the process.

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categories: Dog Behavior, Dog Training, Dog Care, Dog Housetraining, Dogs, Pets, Canines

When two canines in the same household have a dispute, owners are often quick to break them apart. The motivation to do so is instinctive. After all, fighting suggests injury and no owner wants to see their dogs hurt. Unfortunately, breaking them apart can cause more problems and inhibit their ability to completely resolve issues within the “pack.”

Below, we’ll explain a few of the most common reasons dogs fight amongst themselves. Once you understand the motivations behind their disputes, you’ll be better able to control the environment in a manner that doesn’t completely disrupt their interaction.

A Struggle For Status

Canines are pack animals and like all pack animals, there is a social structure within their group (even if that “group” only numbers two). The pooch at the top of that structure has the highest status until someone lower in the hierarchy challenges him. When challenged, the dominant canine will either concede his status or accept the challenge by fighting. This struggle for status within the hierarchy is common, especially if multiple dogs live under one roof and enjoy near equal positions within the “pack’s” internal structure.

Fighting is often triggered when a new pooch is introduced to the group. Even if he does not issue a challenge for authority and dominance, he may initially be seen as a threat. Another circumstance that can lead to a dispute is when a canine is brought back into the group after having spent a long period of time elsewhere. Positioning to regain status - or protect it - ensues.

When The Owner Shows Favoritism

Owners unwittingly exacerbate internal disputes when they intervene in the fighting. The reason is because that intervention is often perceived as favoritism to a lower-status canine. If a dispute takes place and the owner protects the dog with the lower rank from the higher ranked pooch, the intervention can imply an artificial social status. In doing so, it can impact the existing hierarchy leading to even more fighting when the owner is present.

Steps To Eliminate The Fighting

If you own dogs that fight with each other, it’s important that you carefully identify the dominant pooch. The reason is because you need to reinforce the existing social structure. Because access to food, water, and other resources is an important barometer of status with the pack hierarchy, give the dominant pooch first access. That will reduce challenges to authority. To accurately identify dominance, consider their age, dispositions, health, and interaction with each other.

If a dispute happens over access to food, toys, or other items, remove the lower status canine from the environment and give the higher ranked dog access. That sends a clear message that the existing hierarchy has your approval.

Canines fight in order to protect or establish their status within their group. Give them room to resolve matters quickly. If they cannot resolve them, support the existing structure.

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It has been proven that owning a pet will lower blood pressure, get rid of feelings of depression and loneliness, as well as help with reducing stress. There is nothing out there that can top the love and companionship of having a dog. However, there are some dog behavior problems that can develop, and make things a little harder than need be - from wetting the floor, chewing your stuff up, and even barking all night.

If your dog is exhibiting these types of dog behavior problems, it may be acting out due to boredom, pent-up aggression or because of lack of training. With proper lifestyle adjustments and diligent training, you’ll be on your way to having a happy, well-behaved pet.

Getting your pet spayed or neutered - This has been proven to be pretty common in helping your dog live longer, while at the same time being healthier, and having a lot less dog behavior problems.

Have a workout routine. Provide your canine companion with regularly scheduled walks twice a day. This will help your dog avoid boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior.

Start training your dog. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, training your dog will teach you how to control your dog’s behavior problems both safely and humanely.

Be patient. Though teaching your furry friend to be more obedient may take determination on your part, it’s worth it. After all, as man’s best friend, your dog will appreciate bonding with you during the process.

Of all of the dog behavior problems there are, biting is probably the most serious. If your dog pees on the rug, runs away, or goes on the couch it probably won’t be a big deal. If you dog gives someone a serious bite, however, many communities require that it be put down. Dog biting problems can literally mean the end of your dog’s life, so it is important to train your dog to never bite anyone.

However, biting problems in puppies are quite normal. When puppies start to teeth, they will have a natural tendency to bite everything that they can get hold of, including you. Though a puppy bite might break your skin, it will not cause any serious damage. But then, this is the right time for you to start training your puppy to stop biting.

You dont have to be cruel or give harsh punishments to train your puppy. They are very sensitive creatures and all you need to make them repent is a firm No! or a censorious Bad Dog, whenever they try to bite you. When your puppy bites you, pull your hand away and repeat the firm phrase again and again which will make him realize that he is hurting you.

Most often a dog bites due to some psychological reasons. A dog takes a bite not just because he wants to hurt something or someone. They also bite to hold on to something or they bite a person or another dog to warn them of something, or they bite just for the joy of it. The best way to break the biting problem of your dog is to start early, when he is still a puppy.

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 absolutely have to take the problem completely seriously and find help even if it costs a bundle. Dog trainers can help almost any dog, but your average pet owner can’t.

If you have a pooch with biting problems in your neighborhood, the best defence is to be prepared with a bottle of pepper spray that is specially formulated to combat biting dogs. Never hesitate to use the pepper spray if any dog tries to bite you. Or, you could opt for a friendlier approach by offering a beef jerky.