Housebreaking or Housetraining a Grown Dog

It is really hard to housebreak the dog that grows up having no regular lessons in cleanliness or whose training was sloppy. Cases of this type are often the mistake of owners who are too lazy to house-train or who have left the dog solo for long periods of time.

 

Confinement in a shut crate night and day is useful. If you know the dog won't urinate or defecate while you're at home, you could let him out of his crate but keep him under close observation at all times. Or the dog could be leashed to a kitchen table leg or any solid support and taken out when relief is called for. Since the dog does not likes to soil his own quarters, he would be more likely to hold himself when crated or tied up short than when left to roam the house freely. Take him out faithfully at steady intervals: the very first thing in the morning, and the last thing at night, and many times during the day. When he does what is asked of him outside, praise him richly. You may extend a reward of some enjoyed tidbit. As for mistakes, clean them good using soap and water and a commercial odor neutralizes. Scold but don't spank.

 

Allow one person to do the training, when possible, should be the one who feeds him. Let that person available all day and every day as needed. And let the teacher give the dog a great deal of affection. A lot of these hard-to-housebreak dogs had no one to love and no one to please. Every dog would like to please his master; and if given a master, he would want to please him as soon as he realizes how.

 

If housebreaking is delayed beyond a year of age, the dog could be very stubborn; on the other hand, he might catch on really quick. Either way, housebreaking could be done, and is well worth doing. Many a supposed "dirty dog" has been sold for a bargain price simply because it was claimed he couldn't be trusted in the house. Training an older dog takes time, since bad habits should be broken as new ones are acquired.

 

The dog sold as "guaranteed housebroken" might be a problem for a while. Unknown voices, a new bed, and an unfamiliar house and yard can result in a quite homesick animal. Give this dog time to get familiarized. A dog seldom forgets his house manners but he is clearly confused while moved to a new home. Don't hasten the training; your first job is to earn the dog's confidence.

© 2011 Tip Writer

Training Your Dog to Respect Your Gardens and Lawns

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Coming when called is a really valuable command to teach your dog to maintain your own property line, and to keep him from getting at your own or your neighbor’s garden and shrubbery.

If your place is large walk along the edge once or twice a day; first having your dog on a long leash, then later without the leash. When he begins to go toward the street or into the next yard, say “No!” Curtly, then call him to you and praise him when he comes. Do this many times. If the dog doesn’t obey your command when he’s off leash, get back to using the leash once more.

If this does not work, get someone to assist you. Have him stand outside your hedge, or someplace in the disallowed territory, armed with a shake-can (put five to ten pennies in a clean empty soda can and tape the top) or a couple of empty tin cans. When your dog disregards your command and goes beyond the “boundary line,” have the assistant cry “Go back!,” clatter the cans, and even throw some towards the dog. You’ll, of course, welcome your dog heartily when he comes back to you for “protection.” Such steps, however, are generally unneeded if you take regular boundary walks. Call him to you, on the walks, for a pat or a tidbit every once in a while. Naturally, you should keep in mind that a passing dog or cat, or a female in season on the next block, could cause even the best-intentioned dog to wander from his own yard. Therefore, if you can’t furnish an enclosed area, your dog must never go outdoors unsupervised.

Dogs acquire spring fever and nothing is better to roll in or dig up than the soft earth of a newly sown lawn or a flower garden. If dogs are regularly warned “No!” and called back when they go for your flower garden or special shrubbery, they’ll soon give it a wide berth. A few dousings using a water pistol, a plant mister, or a garden hose will deter not only your own dog, but any strays as well.

The commercial dog repellents or cayenne pepper spread out around plants and shrubbery also will help deter a dog’s attention. The repellents have an odor that a dog disapproves; the pepper will bother his nose and make him sneeze. All such material has to be renewed often, especially after rain. And, naturally, the least trouble is to put up a low wire fence around a garden to keep it from dogs.

© 2011 TW

Some Weird Habits in Male Dogs

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The male dog’s testicles must be descended and visible by 7-10 months old. If they have not come down, or if only one can be viewed, consult your veterinarian.

The urge of nearing maturity sometimes makes a male dog to start the objectionable habit of riding your arm or ankle when overexcited in play. And it's rather normal for male puppies to mount other pets, kids, and even furniture and become sexually aroused. The great way to deal with this is to hold the dog by the collar, give him a quick shake, and state "No!" sharply. When he attempts the trick on someone or something else, push him aside and then give the command.

 

Since kids and dogs like to roughhouse together, dogs regrettably misbehave in this manner more often with kids than with adults. Parents must instruct their children accordingly. When they actually witness it happening, they must simply state, "Don't let Bover do that!" There's no need for parents to be humiliated at such a time, however. Animals are animals, and they frequently show their sexual feelings, particularly prior to reaching puberty. On the brighter side, when the dog is completely grown, he'll generally outgrow the habit. If he does not, ask your vet about having him spayed. If you don't intend to use a male for breeding, it is inconsiderate to keep him sexually frustrated.

By Tip Writer

Canine Separation Anxiety: Is Your Dog Too Attached to You?

Being left alone can be really emotional and nerve-wracking. It can be a hard experience. But this fear of being isolated isn't only entirely felt by human beings. Animals are no exclusion. Even dogs, regarded to be man's best friend, suffer the same emotional plight.

Dogs are by nature social animals, they're pack animals. Like infants that develop a bond to their mothers, dogs, too, develop a very strong attachment with their canine female parents. These puppies would only prefer to be with their turf, where the female parent or father can defend them or supply food through the female dog's mammary glands. But once this canine family bond is dissolved, the dog instantly turns its attention to their owner or caretaker...READ MORE>>>