The Healthy Pets » Solving Dog Problems

Sexual Behaviors And Your Dog

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:44:20 +0000

Male dogs in some cases even those that have been sexually altered, may mount people’s legs or even inanimate objects. It can originate as a sexual urge or as an attempt to dominate. Bitches also display similar behavior when they are in season or asserting dominance. At any rate, it must be discouraged at the dog’s first attempts to do so. Owners will often think it’s cute when a puppy does it, but live to regret not curbing the dog’s desire to mount when it becomes a frequent embarrassment or even a danger to the elderly or small children. Stopping this behavior immediately is the best way to avoid problems later on.

There are seldom hard and fast answers to solving behavior problems for all dogs. Understanding the cause of the problem is the first step in correcting it. Then, too, it is important for the trainer to understand how important it is to keep bad habits from being established in the first place. If the bad habit cycle has already started, there is no substitute for the positive reinforcement of good behavior.

Dogs And Their Digging Hobby

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:31:55 +0000

There is hardly a dog who doesn’t like to dig. Most dogs do it outdoors, but we’ve come across some that like nothing better than digging their way through a down comforter or sofa cushion. The urge to dig is just a dog being a dog, but destructiveness is something that has to be dealt with quickly and in no uncertain terms.

Outdoor digging is harmless it is in the middle of the lawn of in your newly planted flowerbed. When this is the case, you’ll be glad that the no command was one of the first lessons you taught your dog. The dog that minds extremely well may be content to leave it as that. However, a lot of other dogs may simply move on to another part of the flowerbed or lawn and start digging again.

Giving your dog his own “sandbox” could be the answer. To get the dog digging in his own place the first time, bury a bone or special treat there. You may even have to help him find the buried treasure a time or two, but most dogs get the idea in a hurry and the problem may be solved.

However, some dogs are a little more determined than that. The only cure for the problem in this case may be keeping a watchful eye on the dog when you are together and when you can’t be watching, keeping the dog away from the area you do not want excavated.

Jumping Up

The Healthy Pets — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:57:45 +0000

As much as most of us like dogs and don’t really mind them jumping up on us for joy some of the time, there are other occasions when it is not appropriate for them to do so. The problem is that dogs don’t understand that it is okay to jump up on you when you are wearing jeans but not okay when you are all dolled up and waiting for your date to arrive or you are on your way to the church social. Also, some people are terrified of dogs, and the last thing in the world they want is to have a dog leaping all over them. For all of these reasons and more, dogs must be taught not to jump up on anyone -ever- not even when they are puppies.

If your dog comes bounding up to greet you and plants his feet on you for a love pat, push those paws down and command “Off!” Just as soon as all four of the dog’s feet are on the ground, praise him lavishly. Remember to only use the off command and no other. Don’t say “Down” unless you actually want your dog to lie down. Don’t try saying “No” one time and “Scoot” the next. Success depends upon your dog associating the command with the word.

One of the problems you may face is that some people will ignore your wishes and say, “Oh, I don’t mind, I have dogs of my own. I love them all.” They are trying to be nice, but nevertheless, they are making your training job more difficult. You’ll have to be direct about this situation and simply tell the person that you appreciate their kindness but that you are in the process of trying to teach the dog not to jump up on people. I’m sure they’ll understand and respect your wishes.

The no-jumping-up rule has to apply to everyone in the family as well. It’s difficult for a dog to determine who doesn’t mind or when the behavior is acceptable, and it’s because something that dogs like to do, the lesson will take forever to get across if everyone in the household doesn’t cooperate.

Chewing Problems

The Healthy Pets — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:14:51 +0000

All dogs chew, and they do so for a whole lot of reasons. To begin with, dogs do everything with their mouths that we do with our hands. We humans, who should know better, do some terribly destructive things to relieve tension and escape from anxiety or frustration. Smoking cigarettes or compulsive eating are not exactly healthy measures, yet we continue to do them.

Dogs also chew to relieve anxiety and stress. Dog’s that aren’t given sufficient exercise use up some of that energy by chewing; they test everything they come across to see what it is, what it tastes like, and what it’s made of. They chew to relieve the pressure of those tiny new teeth trying to burst their way through the gums.

There are a lot of reasons puppies chew-some of the results are acceptable in human society, some of them are not. Chewing is good when it is done on a bone or a safe chew toy, but bad when it takes place on the corner of your new coffee table or oriental rug.

Giving your dog things to occupy his time and taking the dog with you when you run errands or take short trips helps to keep his canine mind interested and active. There are very few dogs that are willing to sit around day after day with absolutely nothing to do that won’t eventually pick up something to relieve that boredom.

If you know your dog is inclined to chew and leave him in the living room when you go to the movies, expect him to have obliged your negligence. If, on the other hand, he is tucked safely away in his crate or his own small area with something to occupy his jaws, you can come home without fear that the entire encyclopedia set has been digested.

Leg Lifting

The Healthy Pets — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:40:00 +0000

This may be confusing to new dog owners, but when a male marks his turf, it has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not he is house trained. Adult males, have a natural instinct to lift their legs and urinate to “mark” their home territory.

Home territory to a dog includes everything you own – furniture, drapes, doorways, bedspreads – nothing is sacred. He is just making sure no intruding males get the mistaken notion that they can move in on his turf. The best thing to do is to interrupt this behavior as soon as you see your dog do it.

Small dogs can be more difficult to break of this habit than the larger breeds. Undoubtedly, a good part of the reason is that they can get into the habit of doing this before their behavior is noticed. Neutered males are far less likely to mark than their sexually entire brothers.

Housetraining Problems

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:27:11 +0000

The best advice is simply not to give your dog the opportunity to make mistakes in the house. If the dog is paper or puppy pad trained, there is no reason he should be allowed to eliminate anywhere else but the specific spot you have directed him to.

In order to survive those first few weeks of puppyhood with a dog that needs housetraining, set about teaching him to “tell” you when he wants to go outdoors. When you know the youngster is able to hold onto what he has to do outdoors for a bit, start asking “outside, Rex?” Eventually, you will get some reaction – a squeak or a sneeze, etc. With that, praise the dog like he has just recited a flawless rendition of the Gettysburg address and out the door you move.

Sooner or later, in anticipation of being let outdoors, (or perhaps of being praised), Rex will heighten the sound effects with a good sharp bark. As time marches along, your dogs will usually come to you when the need arises, and they will let you know in no uncertain vocal terms that it is indeed “time to go out!”

If urinating indoors is a problem, you might want to try controlling the availability of water. Make it available often, but only at certain times throughout the day. Put the water bowl down and then keep an eye on what is going on. Puppies usually will have to relieve themselves within a few minutes or drinking. Adults will usually have to do so in about a half hour or so.

Frequent urinating of small amounts or chronic diarrhea could mean intestinal or urinary tract problems. Consult your veterinarian without delay.

Separation Anxiety

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:24:33 +0000

Separation anxiety is a problem of a more serious nature and is the result of the dog’s fear of being left alone. It is not spiteful behavior, but rather the dog reacting to his fear in a frenzied manner. This problem is emotionally based and can be a difficult one to correct without assistance. There are new drugs that have been approved to help relieve the high anxiety that separation creates. They act on the dog in a manner similar to the calming effect of antidepressants on humans. These drugs can be obtained by prescription through your veterinarian. Although the medication does not actually cure the problem, it relieves the symptoms to the extent that retraining can begin.

Another dog or even a cat, if the two are compatible, may often solve an anxiety problem immediately, while other dogs respond well to something as simple as having the radio playing while you are gone.

A dog that reacts to loneliness by being destructive should never be allowed to remain loose when you are gone. Some people think it is cruel to confine their dog to an area or a crate where he is not able to destroy things, but they think nothing of becoming furious and frightening the dog out of his wits when he has been free to be destructive. Your reacting in a rage will only tend to enforce the dog’s fear of being alone.

Regardless of the cause – loneliness or separation anxiety – the problem is compounded by owners who make their departures and returns appear to the monumental events. Don’t upset your dog before leaving by giving the poor fellow hugs and kisses like you are ready to take off on a year-long safari. Just go! When you return, don’t make a climax suitable for the theater screen. Some dogs love those dramatic returns and begin vocally requesting them the minute you walk out the door. Make leaving home and coming home as uneventful as possible or distract your dog by offering him a toy or treat before you leave. If he is happily occupied, chances are he won’t even notice you’ve gone.

Solving Problems of Your Dogs

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:08:50 +0000

Dogs are smart and can learn quickly-if they are taught properly. Think of your dog as an empty slate. If you want writing to appear there, you are going to have to do it, especially if you want the words to be those that you’ll approve of.

At the same time, that doesn’t mean that everything a dog does wrong reflects a flaw on your part. A dog comes equipped with a whole set of instinctual behaviors. Some of those behaviors are acceptable in human society, but a good many of them aren’t and must be redirected. But let’s back up a bit. Let’s go back to a few weeks after your dog was born. Individual breed characteristics aside, all dogs, wild or domesticated, are looking for two things when they leave the nest: a pack of leather and the rules set down by the leader by which all members of the pack must abide. Because puppies are cuddly and cute, a good many owners fail miserably in supplying these basic needs. Instead, the owner immediately begins to respond to demands of the adorable little puppy. For example, a pup quickly learns he will be allowed into the house if he is barking or whining, whereas he should be taught that he may only enter the house when he is not barking or whining.

A grown dog scratches at the door to come until the wood begins to wear away. In desperation, the owner allows the dog to enter. This dog has learned that the quickest way to gain admittance is to start scratching a hole. Instead of allowing this unwanted “let me in” behavior to become established in the first place, you must develop a procedure that the dog understands. Before letting him in or out, teach him he must first sit quietly. Then and only then you will open the door. Use this procedure the first time the two of you go out, and you will be amazed at how rapidly your dog learns that sitting quietly at the door gets him just what he wants. In situations of this kind, it is important to make sure the dog learns that the desired behavior has earned him what he wants. Once your dog has accomplished the positive behavior, praise him and then allow him to enter.

As mentioned, the key to successful training lies in establishing the proper relationship between dog and owner. The owner of the owning family must be the pack leader, and the individual or family must provide the rules by which the dog abides without expectations.

Solving Dominance Issues Of Your Dogs

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:24:04 +0000

There are a good many ways to establish and maintain leadership with your dog. Some dogs, particularly those that might be considered “guard dog” breeds, have a natural instinct to defend themselves if attacked. This is purely a natural instinct. However, some of these dogs may be inclined to fend off attacks by establishing their dominance and becoming aggressive.

Manhandling and punishing a dog of this nature only exacerbates the problem; the dog is in a self-protecting, aggressive mood, and your attack only intensifies his mood. This is one of the reasons why those who understand the more assertive dogs constantly preach the value of obedience training. Punishing will not control aggressiveness in a situation like this. The dog may well return your “attack” by attacking you!

Petting and trying ton soothe the dog will not help the situation either. He may take your soothing actions to mean approval for his behavior. You must put the dog under the authority by having him obey your command. This makes him submit to you. Responding to the down command puts the dog in a passive role rather than challenging or encouraging his unwanted behavior. If you have ever watched nature films on television, there is no doubt you noticed who ate first when the pack brought down a kill-it was the pack leader. If your dog eats his evening meal about the same time as you have your dinner, make it a point to eat first and then put your dog’s food dish down.

Some dogs are most anxious to please the pack leader, and other dogs don’t care if they please him or not. In the wild, dogs of the latter classification are likely to enter into the battle with pack leader for dominance. This seldom happens in the human/canine relationship, but do note that I said seldom and not never. It’s easy to see where the “I don’t care” kind of dogs can develop problem behaviors. However, even the more dependent dog can sometimes manifest behavior that will drive an owner up the wall.