Best Dog Potty

This article I am writing from personal experience. My wife and I were both working when we got Buddy who was 10 weeks at the time. We rescued him from the shelter after he had been to another family for only a week. He came with a certificate to Obedience school as he qualified for training based on the experience the previous family had with him. We successfully trained Buddy to be a perfect dog in all situations. This is written based on my experience and tips that helped us succeed and that will hopefully help you as well.

Since you are reading this article you’ve already come to the realization that you need to train your dog. It is never too late to train your dog, it may just take longer to break old habits the older they are. You probably also work enough hours a week to make this task seem impossible but it is not. My wife and I were able to do it and so can you.

The first week we got Buddy we were on vacation so we did have a leg up on crate training and house breaking over those that can not take the time off. If you are able to take a week off for the first week you have your new dog it will be invaluable in the long run. In this first week you’ll want to house train them and start crate training. These two go hand in hand as you will discover further in the article. Ideally you should be able to take your dog out in regular intervals while you are house training them but because of work schedules we know this can be a daunting task. I’ll discuss some alternatives you can use while at work.

As a puppy take them out every 30 minutes when you are home to “do their business”. When you are bringing them out mark the task at hand. Take them outside on a leash to a part of your yard (or where every they will be permitted to go to the bathroom). Mark the behaviour by saying “Do your business” in a calm but firm voice. Once they relieve themselves give them praise and say “Good Boy or Good Girl” in a praising voice. Clean up any poop as a responsible dog owner. Once inside you may give them a treat on occasion. You shouldn’t be using treats to get them to go to the bathroom where you want them too.

Increase the time between bathroom outings while you are home until they can go for at least a couple hours.

Lastly at night limit their water – remove it at night an hour before they will go out for the last time during the night. And only leave a small bowl during the day if any. This will lessen the need to go to the bathroom. Make sure though when you are home they get plenty of water. Also limit treats at night before they go to bed if you can. Think like you – if you drink a lot of water or eat foods right before bed you will most likely be waking up to go to the bathroom. The dog will behave the same at night and during the day.

Larger dogs will be able to hold it for up to 10 hours while smaller dogs usually can only hold it four. When an accident does happen don’t scold them, just take them right outside when you notice the mistake. If you find yourself needing to be gone longer than they can hold it find someone to take them out. There are plenty of dog walkers around that will charge a small fee to walk your dog on a daily basis. There are other aids such as indoor dog training pads where you can train your dog to use that pad for relieving themselves. They are designed to collect the waste for you to throw out. However be warned using these could train your dog that they don’t have to wait to go outside. Resort to these only in extreme cases.

Most important, crate train your dog. This is easy to do while you are working during the day. Put your dog in a properly sized crate during the day and at night when you sleep. The crate must be sized so that your dog can comfortably move around but not so much room that they can create a bathroom space in it. Dogs are clean animals and will do whatever they can to not soil the space they live in. If the crate is too large the dog can use a corner of it just to go to the bathroom where he won’t have to lay in it.

Your dog will make strange noises and barks to try to get out of the crate, and by try to get out I mean guilt you into letting them out. You can train this out of them by waiting for them to be quiet for 10 seconds – once they are let them out. Praise them say “Good Quiet” and after a short time put them back in the crate. Now wait 20 seconds and do the same thing. Keep doubling this in the same training period until they no longer cry to get out. You can do this in sessions – where you set goals, 1 minute for the first training session and maybe 3 minutes for the second training session. You should be able to use your crate to put your dog in a safe place during emergencies or when you can’t be constantly watching them. You can find more indepth articles on crate training that will explain this further. Never use a shock collar! And never yell at them while they are being training. Yelling just tells the dog that they can make more noise and is counter productive.

These two training techniques will be the key to being able to train your puppy while working full time. Training other behaviors is less time intensive and can be accomplished by attending a local Dog Obedience school. So lets discuss that part of training your dog while still working full time. There are two avenues, getting do it yourself dog training books and videos or going to a dog training class. I suggest going to a dog training class that fits in your schedule. Usually they are on weekends or after work and occur once or twice a week. The class will be training you as well and this is why I recommend doing a class and not a do it yourself book.

After work each day spend 30 minutes reinforcing that weeks training techniques using a quality treat that your dog doesn’t get any other time but loves. I used hot dog pieces which I found worked really well. These are the same treats that you use in your training classes. Your instructor should open the class with a discussion on the importance of praise and treats during training. The use of positive reinforcement training is the only way there is. Any other training technique is counterproductive.

Lastly you have to be consistent. Use the same words when training your dog at all times and also use the same tone. Speaking a command over and over again is training your dog to wait for the command to be said four times to do what you ask. Your instructor should go over this. Also you shouldn’t need to raise your voice. If there are two of you training your dog use the same commands as well. You should have one “master” in the household. If the dog sees that there is a power struggle between the two of you he or she will think that they have an opportunity to become the alpha dog in the pack.

I only touched briefly upon that techniques that worked for us with emphasis on the crate and house training as those are the two most important trainings to get down first while training your dog and working full time. In fact any dog should be trained those two things first no matter what the household situation is. You can find more information on the training techniques on my blog or the internet. If you have questions feel free to contact me through my blog in the link below. We went through three training classes; “Beginner Obedience”,”Intermediate Obedience” and “Come when called”. The latter we decided to go to because Buddy wasn’t coming when called. He is a perfectly behaved dog now and we love him very much.

Sean is a passionate dog owner and has created [http://www.howtotrainyourdogblog.com] for other dog owners to aid them in training their new family member. Follow Sean on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/dogtrainblog. Sean is always looking for new topics to write about. Send him a message on Twitter or through the website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sean_P_Hussey/750040

A dog’s bladder seems like a mysterious thing. Sometimes it will be hours before they do their potty dance. Other times it will be mere minutes after the last time. Though this can leave you frazzled, there’s no reason to get upset. Doggy bladders are very easy to understand once you actually get to know them a bit more.

Holding It In

How long you should wait before walking your dog it is very much like how it is in humans. Based on their age, sex, health and body size, the “correct” amount of time varies from pooch to pooch. That being said, we can make some general assumptions for the vast majority of dogs in the world. For instance, smaller and younger dogs will need to pee more than their counterparts. This makes sense because smaller dogs have smaller bladders while younger dogs process waste faster.

Another rule of thumb to go with is a bit more factual. From what we know, dogs produce around 10 to 20 mL of urine for every pound they weigh each and every day. This translates to about three to five potty breaks every day. However, sometimes there are occasions when your pup will need to hold their bladder for longer than is normal. In these cases, the older your dog is, the longer they can hold it. Puppies cannot. In fact, they are not able to physically control their own bladders until at least 16 weeks of age and even then cannot be expected to do so reliably until they reach six months.

Too Long

Dogs are pretty good at holding their own for rather long stretches of time. Many often have to keep it in for eight to 12 hours at a time due to human work schedules. While this isn’t ideal, it’s definitely doable as the dog will refrain from drinking too much so that they don’t have an accident.

Even so, this is never a good idea for prolonged periods of time. After all, asking them to hold waste within their bodies for extended periods of time will wreak havoc on their insides much in the same way it destroys us internally. The most common problems are UTIs and urinary stones. Other research suggests that continued prolonged potty holding can lead to urinary cancers. This is due to the fact that urine contains some carcinogens. If left in the body for too long, they infect the otherwise healthy cells of the urinary tract.

In the end, your dog can go for extreme periods of time without needing to use the restroom. While great for the owner that heads regularly, it’s an extremely detrimental practice that should only occur rarely and in dire circumstances. Waste should be expelled regularly, and if your dog can’t get that kind of necessary relief, now’s not the best time for you to own a dog.

It’s no secret that dogs are not the biggest fans of loud noises. From fireworks to vacuums, nothing can send a dog into terrified shivering quite like the power of sound. Unfortunately, this means that even during something as simple as a thunderstorm, you can find yourself cleaning up urination spots no matter how house broken your dog is. Fortunately, this behavior can be stopped.

Be With Them

Unlike your pet, you know when thunderstorms are on their way through weather forecasts. In the event of an oncoming storm, be with your dog. If you’ve ever noticed them hiding under furniture, shaking, whining or otherwise exhibiting signs of distress, you know that what comes next isn’t something you enjoy cleaning up. By spending this time with them and watching them, you can monitor their actions, stopping them from having an accident before it happens.

Stay Calm & Play On

The best thing you can do is both remain calm and happy while engaging your dog in playtime. A big reason dogs become so frightened of the loud noise is that they at one point in time associated it with something bad. To break this thought process, you need to teach them otherwise. By engrossing them in tug of war, fetch or maybe a calm brushing, you’re teaching them there is no reason to be so frightened. After all, you’re not frightened, and you’re the alpha of their pack.

Not all dogs are as eager to listen to you as you may want. Corgi’s, Retrievers, and even Collies love to spend time with you and the family, whether it’s having fun or just walking through the park, and will readily respond to your calls. But a few breeds, mainly terriers, aren’t so easily coaxed into simply “hanging out” with you and your family.

Such pups always want to “go, go, go” when it comes to having fun. These free-spirited pups tend to do things their own way. These terrier breeds come in all sizes and are renowned for their valiance and determination, along with their very yappy alert system, making them excellent protectors for your home.

Full of energy, breeds like the Parson Russell, Skye, and the Scottish terriers can be hard to handle but also just as fun to play with. But terriers need excitement or they get bored quickly. And that is when life can become difficult for you and them.

Instinctively, terriers enjoy…

Originally, terrier pups were bred to hunt alone. Unlike retrievers and other breeds of herding dogs, terriers were raised to roam about loosely on their property, hunting small vermin like rats, skunks, and even foxes in order to keep the owner and their property safe. All of this was done with little to no instruction from their human companions, which tends to make many terriers independent in nature if left unguided.

By nature, terriers are often very intolerant to cooperating with their owners, making them difficult students during training. If something shiny pops up or perhaps a cat scurries through the yard, you may lose all control of your pup as they break for the door in hopes of chasing down their “prey.” They may even knock you over in an attempt to be the first out the door.

For those wondering, the reason for their “yappiness” is due to their instinctive nature to frighten and intimidate their prey from burrows and dens. In fact, the term “terrier” means “from the earth,” which is why many terrier breeds are renowned for their golf-course style backyard decorations. Digging and tunneling is a favorite activity for them, which on occasion makes them difficult to handle.

Training from the start

The very nature of terrier breeds is why it’s so important to undertake training at an early age very seriously. Of importance to note is that terriers are extremely defiant and no level of negative punishment will convince them to listen to you. Punishment will only make them more hard-headed and less likely to want to be your friend. The goal is to make them want to hang out with you because it’s fun for them.

Because of their very independent nature, when they’re young, socialization with both people and other animals is a must. It helps your terrier pup overcome their instinctive nature to roam and hunt alone. This is mainly because walks, though simple in nature, help develop a bond between the dog and the individual holding the other end of their leash. They’re more inclined to look to you, their owner and protector, for answers and instructions.

Have fun

The best thing you can do for a terrier breed is to make things entertaining. Having fun makes a huge difference to these pups, and if it isn’t exciting or enticing, they’ll want to move on or even ignore you.

A handy trick to rely on is having a treat readily available to offer them when your terrier listens to your commands. Food is a good hand to play in this particular training scenario since terriers are often food-driven, mainly because it plays to their hunting instincts. So when it comes to training, the training plan for a terrier breed needs to not only be fun, but full of treats as well.

You’ll also need to spend a lot of time socializing with them. While they do have a knack for entertaining themselves (checking inside the couch cushions and underneath the carpet), they’ll need to be kept entertained or they’ll start focusing their attention on less constructive things, such as landscaping your backyard for a good 18-hole game of golf.

Regardless of obedience training, terrier breeds still need to be watched carefully, especially around dangerous situations such as busy roads and on camping trips (bring your leash and a good harness along). Instinct can still overcome any level of training, which can be dangerous for these pups in certain circumstances.

Terriers are invaluable companions and valiant protectors, but they can also be a little hard-headed when it comes to listening to you. So be sure you take the time to develop a positive bond of companionship between you and your four-legged friend, or they might be the ones making the decisions around the house.

Training dogs is not hard. You just need patience, dedication and some simple tactics and you will teach them successfully.

Here are five tips on how to train your dogs successfully:

1. To avoid your dog getting confused and so that they can learn to recognize commands easily only one person should be responsible for training the dog initially. If too many people are trying to train the dog at the same time this can stop progress in its tracks.

2. You should use positive reinforcements. If the dog does something good, you should reward this behavior so that he will know that what he did was right. If the dog cannot understand or follow your commands, never push him. Dogs are not as intelligent as humans, they make mistakes. What you should understand is that they won’t easily understand your commands in just one teaching, it takes repetition to train a dog successfully. Do not scold your dog as he might develop fear which will hinder his learning and willingness to be trained. You can use treats in order to encourage your dogs, although don’t overdue it.

3. Teach commands one at a time. Try to teach him one command after the other. If he cannot absorb it, try to stay on that command only because adding additional commands will just confuse the dog. Start with the basics.

4. In executing commands, you should keep your voice cheerful so that the dog will happily follow your commands. Dogs will respond to a low and coaxing voice. If you shout out loud, he may become startled and unresponsive.

5. Train your dog in various places. If you keep your dog in a certain place like your home, he will not be able to adjust when exposed to new environments. Take him to the park or through the neighborhood. This will help your dog associate with other dogs and people.

Training your dog can sometimes be tough, but it will be worth it. In the end, you will be the one to benefit when your dog is trained. You don’t know he might even save your life one day and pay back everything you taught him.

Keeping up with your pet supplies can be just another thing you don’t want to have to remember. After a long day at work and going to the store, the last thing you want to do is have to go “to the store” again. Consider home delivery of your pet supplies!

Training dogs is not hard. You just need patience, dedication and some simple tactics and you will teach them successfully.

Here are five top tips on how to train your dogs successfully:

1. To avoid your dog getting confused and so that they can learn to recognize commands easily only one person should be responsible for training the dog initially. If too many people are trying to train the dog at the same time this can stop progress in its tracks.

2. You should use positive reinforcements. If the dog does something good, you should reward this behavior so that he will know that what he did was right. If the dog cannot understand or follow your commands, never push him. Dogs are not as intelligent as humans, they make mistakes. What you should understand is that they won’t easily understand your commands in just one teaching, it takes repetition to train a dog successfully. Do not scold your dog as he might develop fear which will hinder his learning and willingness to be trained. You can use treats in order to encourage your dogs, although don’t over do it.

3. Teach commands one at a time. Try to teach him one command after the other. If he cannot absorb it, try to stay on that command only because adding additional commands will just confuse the dog. Start with the basics.

4. In executing commands, you should keep your voice cheerful so that the dog will happily follow your commands. Dogs will respond to a low and coaxing voice. If you shout out loud, he may become startled and unresponsive.

5. Train your dog in various places. If you keep your dogs in a certain place like your home, he will not be able to adjust with the environment with new people. Take him to the park or through the neighborhood. This will help your dog associate with other dogs and people.

Training your dog can sometimes be tough, but it will be worth it. In the end, you will be the one to benefit when your dog is trained. You don’t know he might even save your life one day and pay back everything you taught him.

Keeping up with your pet supplies can be just another thing you don’t want to have to remember. After a long day at work and going to the store, the last thing you want to do is have to go “to the store” again. Consider home delivery of your pet supplies!

With Valentine’s Day nearing, there are those considering getting their partners a puppy as a gift. While this sounds great, there are a few things one should consider before buying one. After all, dog ownership is a lifelong responsibility, not a passing trend. So be prepared for what it means to be a dog owner before you give one out during Valentine’s.

The first and most important thing you need to do is ask yourself if you’re ready to take on the responsibilities of dog ownership. There are numerous things to consider before making such an important decision, all of which you need to carefully think through, even though you may have convinced yourself you want a dog in your life.

Life changing decision

There are certain tasks you’ll be faced with upon becoming a dog owner. The first and foremost is training. Do you have time to properly train them? Will you have enough time to spend with them and deliver the attention they’ll need to grow up happy and healthy? A dog is a life-changing addition to your life. You’ll need to know how to take care of them, especially when they’re sick, train them, and ensure that they get the exercise they need to keep their mind and body active.

Housing is one of the biggest hurdles for any dog owner. While more facilities are becoming dog friendly, there are often increased costs, such as rent and deposits that you need to be aware of. And keep in mind that it can be difficult to find housing unless you know what to look for, so be prepared to do some research (the online world makes it easy to find pet-friendly housing and locations).

Not all homes are dog friendly also. There are poisonous plants such as lilies that seem harmless but can be toxic, as well as appliances, cords, and even decorations that aren’t going to be your dog’s best friend. Be sure that your home is ready for a dog, to ensure their safety and the security of your belongings (couch cushions included).

It’s best to generate a checklist of things you’re going to need for your new dog. What foods will they require? Are you adopting a puppy or a senior dog? This will affect their diet and medical needs (shots and vaccinations). This list should also include housing, specifically- is your home dog-proof? Keep in mind that dogs, especially puppies, will want to chew on anything and everything they can get their paws on.

Because Valentine’s Day is such a lovers-oriented event, chocolate and assorted sweets are going to be popular. While these sweets are great for you, they aren’t so kind to your dog. You need to be aware of what your dog should and shouldn’t eat. Expansive lists are available online, and it’s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian as well concerning healthy diet options for the pup.

Be financially prepared

Because dogs change your life in so many ways, financial costs are often overlooked. Be sure that you can afford all the costs that come with them. These would include veterinarian bills, medication, food, and housing. While they may seem like an initial costs, like starting up a hobby, they are ongoing, meaning that your dog is going to be a major part of your monthly or yearly budget. Also, be prepared for surprise visits to the vet as well.

This is where your list is going to help you plan for the additional expenses. Can you afford all these things? Do you have money saved for an emergency? What types of items are going to be new to your regular grocery list? Be prepared for the expenses and consider them before you bring a dog into your home.

While this Valentine’s Day may seem like a great opportunity to present your loved one with a pup or simply add a special someone into your own life, it’s imperative that you understand that owning a dog is a life-changing experience. And always remember that a dog isn’t a gift. It is the relationship the both of you share that is the true gift.

Keeping up with your pet supplies can be just another thing you don’t want to have to remember. After a long day at work and going to the store, the last thing you want to do is have to go “to the store” again. Consider home delivery of your pet supplies!

Potty training is a difficult process for many pet owners. There are often mistakes made that frustrate pet owners, but it will only make the process harder for both of you if you let this type of interference control the situation. Instead, you must understand what methods are appropriate and effective for the learning process.

The first thing to avoid is punishment that would inflict harm or pain on your dog. Though they may seem tough, a dog’s body is fragile and delicate, especially their ears, nose, hips, and chest. Physical discipline is never recommended, and quite frankly, is not very effective. All it teaches your dog is that your anger is to be feared.

Take steps to withhold attention when your dog is behaving inappropriately. If they aren’t doing something right, don’t reward them. Instead, stick with instruction until they begin moving in the right direction. Dogs crave attention and it is often a reward when given to them, regardless of whether you’re angry or happy. By ignoring them, you deprive them of attention and their reward.

This also means that you should always affirm positive behavior. When they are being good, let them know that they are being good. They might simply be resting or eating their food, but when you affirm that it’s good, it tells them that the habits that are acceptable are good to develop. As you affirm the good and ignore the bad, they will be inclined to do what gets them attention. If you give them attention on both sides, the process may take longer and can become more complicated.

Punishment can also involve the removal of desired things, including treats, toys, and attention. One of the most effective punishments is to take away something they like, forcing them to want to earn that treat back. When used in combination with appropriate treat offerings, you can control how your dog acts and how well they learn.

Punishment is only good when it is 100% effective. Scaring or intimidating your dogs can work, but not without the consequence of making the dogs fear you to a certain degree. Your dog looks to you for love, guidance, and safety, so be sure that your punishment supports the bond between the two of you.

Teaching your dog when the right time to potty is one of every dog owner’s most important initial tasks. There are a variety of methods and techniques, but none of them compare to the attention that you give to your dog. Ultimately, the shortcut is to spend the time with your dog and teach them the right way the first time.

The first step is to associate potty time with your command. This will take some time, so you must be patient. Initially, choose a common word, sound, or phrase to associate with potty time. It could be anything you choose, just be sure that it is always repeated and practiced continuously. Don’t start with one phrase and jump to a different word, since it can confuse them and disrupt the process.

During this period, you must also begin a schedule. Dogs love habit, and designing a schedule develops a habit that you can control. Feeding and drinking will coincide with potty time, which will be at most an hour right after they’ve had their daily dine. So, you want to develop a schedule for potty time as well. Feed them at regularly scheduled times during the day, and then allow them a chance to potty to create a dependable habit.

One of a dog’s instinctive habits is not to potty where they live, eat, or sleep. They will naturally not want to dirty their habitat, which you can take advantage of through crate training. When you’re not around, it can be helpful to confine them to a designated area to prevent accidents that could result in setbacks.

One tool that is especially helpful during the training process is the grass litter box. These devices can speed training up, since your dog will be frequently provided a designated potty area where they can relive themselves at will. These can be especially helpful for those that have to go to work during the training process, since your dog won’t have to potty in the house, and you won’t have to make frequent trips to the house during work hours.

All it takes is your patience and a few handy techniques to teach your dog when it’s a good time to potty. With some assistance to aid you, you can be sure that your dog can enjoy the freedom they want and you can enjoy the clean house you deserve.

Navigating your way up or down the stairs right before bed isn’t only annoying, it can also be dangerous. Many dog owners are faced with a late night precautionary trip to allow their dog the chance to take care of business before bedtime. When you live in an upstairs apartment or condo, this can really become a challenge, especially for senior dogs and senior owners alike.

Besides safety issues, such as rain which can result in wet and slippery stairs, there is also the concern of a dark or under lit stairwell, forcing you to juggle a flashlight (or smart phone with the “light” app on) and your dog’s leash. You also run the risk of your dog pulling you down the stairs. An eager dog may not be thinking about their owner attached to the other end of his leash, which can result in a needless accident.

One of the first steps you can take is to avoid late night feeding. Dogs have a routine schedule they like to keep. Commonly, an hour after eating would result in the need to potty. To avoid this, the latest feeding time should be no more than two hours prior to bedtime, so you can avoid before bedtime walks.

If you do have to go out, be sure to wear quality foot ware, such as tennis shoes that have good traction on both wet and dry ground. Try to avoid flip-flops or house shoes, since they can cause tripping or can slip in a wet environment.

You may also consider investing in a grass litter box. These handy devices will not only prevent you from unnecessary late night potty trips down the stairs, but will also offer your dog the convenience of potty time whenever they need it. This can be especially beneficial for the senior dog or younger puppy that may have to frequently potty during the night.

It’s important for every dog owner not only to think of the safety of their pets, but of their own safety as well. Take the time to take some precautions and make both you and your dog’s life a little more convenient and hazard free.