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Like butter! (Or is it “like buttah?”)
Boltie-Boy, the Yorkie-Poo guest columnist: It’s amazing what you can learn from watching TV! Just the other day, as I was mesmerized by Animal Planet, I learned of a great tip to train your puppy not to bite. You see, I live with a Wheaten Terrier who tends to nip at strangers, and it has landed him in “doggie jail” a couple of times. That kind of behavior does not look good on a resume!
At any rate, on this one particular show about dogs, they said that a great way to teach puppies not to bite is to rub butter on your hands and arms so that they will then learn to lick, as opposed to biting. Kind of messy, I know, but it can save aggravation down the road.
As for that Wheaten Terrier in my home, who is now six years old, I don’t think he is completely untrainable, but I think at this point, our owners will have to dip themselves in barbeque sauce to get the message across.
That’s my friendly tip of the day! And, by the way, don’t all dogs bite? I mean, seriously…how do they eat otherwise?
Have a great Easter weekend!
How Will Your Older Dog React to a Younger Dog in the Home? It’s Up to You!
Jessie, the dog who thinks she’s a movie critic: I just heard about a movie starring Jeff Bridges called “The Dog Year.” It is about a struggling and angry writer who brings a younger dog into his home that is already residence to two older dogs. The story primarily revolves around Jeff trying to tame and train this formerly abused dog who seems wildly out of control. The two older dogs look on with equal parts disinterest and intrigue. So…just how do you introduce a younger dog to an older dog? Here are a few tips:
Sometimes, when folks have an older dog, they like to bring in a younger dog to provide companionship for the older dog. You just never know, however, how things will turn out when you bring home a one-year-old dog and introduce it to your 12-year-old dog. That represents a huge gap in development. It could work out well, or the older dog could become quite annoyed with the new, loud, energetic addition.
Don’t force the two to become fast friends. Sure, have them spend time together, but if fighting ensues, do not tolerate that.
Provide ample exercise time for the younger dog. Be sure to schedule time to do activities with both dogs and reward good behavior. Take a short walk with them or have them both sit next to you while you watch a movie. If both behave well, be sure to give them lots of positive attention.
Be sure to teach the younger dog basic skills, such as sit, down, and stay. These will come in handy when managing his behavior.
Do not allow the dogs to be together alone at home until you are confident they will get along well.
(Thanks for Mary Burch at pawnation.com for this great information!)
We Were Born to Run!
Naismith, Wheaten Terrier guest columnist: Happy dog! I am such a happy dog! I awaken each morning around 4:15 and am so excited because I get to go on a run with my human! As you know, running for dogs is pure joy! That is true happiness for us. We are totally in our element when we can run. Luckily for you and for me, there are great benefits in going for a run with us. Check out these fun facts:
1.) When you run with your dog regularly, not only does your dog stay fit, but you do, too. Burn some extra calories and have fun along the way!
2.) Running will improve the quality of your dog’s life. As I mentioned, dogs love to run. A dog that does what he enjoys most is a happy dog, and a happy dog equals a happy life!
3.) Running not only gives you humans an edge on a longer life span, but it has the same effect on dogs! If you want to enjoy our companionship for a long time, then take us out on regular runs. Both your heart and mine will thank you for it!
4.) Running with your dog provides a great opportunity to work on training commands. Your dog will learn to sit patiently while waiting for traffic. He will learn to remain in control when passing by other runners and their dogs. He will learn to stay by your side. This time also provides a great way to deepen the bond with your dog.
5.) Running is a terrific outlet for all of your dog’s energy! If he is causing trouble in the home because of pent-up energy, take him for a run. You will be amazed at how calm he is when at home!
Well, it is time for my nap now. I ran for almost an hour this morning! It was awesome. I saw a few other dogs out and about. Most of them were just barking at me from their fenced-in yards. Poor things. They need to nudge their owners and get a move on!
(Thanks to runningplanet.com for this great info. Thanks to my human for making the effort to get up early in the morning with me. Oh, yeah…another benefit….those regular morning runs keep ME regular…get it? My system runs like clockwork!)
Is Your Adult Dog Forgetting that He Should Go Potty Outside?
Bolt, Yorkie-Poo guest columnist: I’ve had it! I have absolutely had it! My roommate, a five-year-old Wheaten Terrier, has recently begun to poop in the house again. Sadly, this has encouraged poor behavior on my part. Even though I am two years old, I now have this feeling that if HE can poop in the house, so can I. It seems our humans, though, think otherwise. I know they get upset when they continually have to clean up after us. We do try to limit it to one area of the house, and we really are sorry when someone steps in it barefooted, unaware we just left our mark there. Help! What can we do to break ourselves of this horrible habit before our humans ban us to the basement?
I did some research at veterinarypartner.com, and here is some handy advice if your older dog has begun to “let loose” inside once again:
**Make sure your pet does not have any health problems that might be contributing to this nasty habit. Medical problems such as urinary tract infections, prostate problems, neurological incontinence, pain when squatting, intestinal parasites, etc., may cause your pet to poop in the house.
**Treat the premises to get rid of odors form past accidents, including those that only dogs can smell. Use a bacterial enzyme odor eliminator, or, if possible, go for a professional cleaning. You may need to repeatedly use the enzyme product until the odor is fully removed. Otherwise, the dog’s natural instincts will just irresistably draw him back to the same spot.
**Figure out where you want your dog to go potty outside and how he is going to get there. Plan on giving your pet access to that area once an hour when you are at home and awake. If that is not possible, perhaps enlist the services of a reliable pet sitter (we do know of one!), dog walker, neighbor, relative, etc., to help out during the day.
**If your dog has been successfully housetrained in the past, he stands a better chance of being re-educated in this regard. It will take a while to break those bad habits, however.
**When you let your dog outside to go potty, go with him to ensure he does eliminate, and go to the same spot each time. Then, praise him for his efforts. If you do catch your dog in the act inside, immediately usher him outside to finish his business, but do so without punishment. Dogs need positive reinforcement. Punishing the dog can cause setbacks in his progress.
While re-training a dog that has lost sight of the house rules of potty time, it’s not entirely impossible. You just need time, patience, and dedication. As for me, well, I just need a better role model in that older dog in the house. He needs to learn correct potty habits so I can, too!
Can YOUR dog counter surf?
Bolt, the Yorkshire terrier guest columnist: Okay! I have had it! That Wheaten Terrier that lives in my domain is beginning to get on my nerves. I am the alpha dog here, but he is beginning to invade my turf in certain areas. I am the one who can sit on the couch! I am the one who can playfully beg for food! I am the one who continually gets his way! I am the one who….who…who, due to my small size, cannot counter surf, and that is my dilemma! That other dog is sneaky. Whenever our humans leave the kitchen and there is something still edible out on the counter within reach of his slobbering mouth, he leaps up to retrieve it, sometimes even gnawing through the container in which the treats are held.
Since Jessie and Bo are not the only educated and well-read pets on this blog, I decided to do a little research about this matter, and to my surprise, I learned that when dogs decide to sneak some human food, they try to draw as little attetnion to themselves as possible when eating food that is not meant for them. That approach does not work for me, however. I have to find a way to open the pantry door, drag the step stool out of there, and then position it in front of the accessible counter. Not always the quietest thing to do. I tried to convince that other dog to let me jump upon his back, but he refused.
Researchers at Hood College actually did a study with 40 dogs that had been trained not to eat food from a plate by placing before them two identical containers filled with yummy goodies. One container was decorated with noisy bells and the alarms on the second one was disabled.
With human eyes on these dogs, the dogs fearlessly went for both containers equally. When the human was not looking, but was present, the dogs went for the container that did not elicit any noise when it was touched. This study concluded that dogs have a sense for considering how humans perceive their actions.
Interesting to me, as I have seen that other dog eye ball our humans whenever they leave the kitchen forgetting they have left something on the counter. As soon as they are out of sight from the kitchen, that other dog will jump up on the counter with his front paws and snatch the food away, like a thief in the night! It is amazing how quickly and quietly this all takes place. Meanwhile, I am the one who is tagged as guilty, as I am hurrying to get that darned step stool back into the pantry, knocking everything over in doing so. That other dog, however, is happily resting on the floor, with what I perceive to be the biggest grin ever on his face. I guess I will just have to go see if anything fell onto the floor and slid under the diswasher. At least I am small enough to get part of my snout and head under there! That other dog, at the very least, could only swipe his tail under it. Hey! There’s an idea! I should force him to sweep out the crumbs from under there and from under the fridge. Gotta go! There’s work to be done!
(Thanks to asylum.com for this great information about the dog studies!)
What Causes Cancer in Pets?
The majority of pet cancer cases occur in middle aged and older pets, with Cats having a higher incidence of cancer than dogs. Following are some feline cancer facts:
- 32% of all cats over 10 years of age will die from cancer
- 10% of all feline tumors are found in the mouth
- 25% of all feline cancers are skin cancers, with 50-65% being malignant
So what are common causes of cancer in pets?
- Carcinogens, such as ultraviolet rays, X-rays, and cigarettes are known causes of cancer in pets. Secondhand cigarette smoke increases the risk of lung cancer in cats and dogs.
- The feline leukemia virus also causes several types of cancer.
- Herbicides have been associated with bladder cancer in pets.
- Genetics- Some specific dog breeds are known to be genetically more susceptible to certain types of cancer. Retrievers, Boxers, and Cocker Spaniels are prone to lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes), while larger breeds such as the Rottweiler are susceptible to osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
- Previous injuries in cats and dogs are occasionally suspect in cancer cases. Some veterinarians believe bone cancers may develop at the site of a previous injury.
Frequent home exams can often help with early cancer detection. Regular vet visits, minimum once a year, are also necessary as a means of early cancer detection. If you do see any changes in your pet, however, don’t wait until the annual exam to have them checked out, early detection is essential to help the treatment be successful.
Dog Owner’s Home Vet Handbook and Cat Owner’s Home Vet Handbook used as reference for this posting
Can You Teach a Dog a Few Tricks?
Jessie: As a very accomplished canine, I am here to report on some easy tips to train your beloved dog.
Bo, the cat: I am so fortunate that cats do not need training. Everything simply comes naturally to us.
Jessie: Either that or you are just too slow to learn! As I was saying, I have some dog training tips to report to you today. If you want a well-trained dog, you have to exercise patience and udnerstanding. Ideally, if you can afford it, it is a good idea to invest in some obedience classes for your dog. Basic commands such as “sit,” “heel,” and “stay” will be demonstrated and taught. Since this will involve you, the owner, it will create a great bonding experience between you and your dog.
When your dog begins to learn the commands, praise them and give them a treat to reinforce his positive behavior. Be sure to say the word “good,” as well.
After the basic commands have been mastered, move on to something more challenging, continuing to praise and reward along the way. Harsh punishment should never be used.
When training your dog, find a quiet area free from distractions. Limit your training sessions to no more than 10 minutes, and do them a few times each day.
Once the dog begins to perform the commands regularly, you can take him to public areas for further training. You will really have to be patient under these conditions, as distractions will be abundant!
You can slowly reduce the treat rewards but still give praise…and lots of it! Dogs love to make their owners happy!
Be consistent in your training, using the same words and tone of voice. Patience is a virtue, too. In this process, not only will your dog learn something, but you just might, too!
Let the experts at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City help you with your dog training questions.
(Information for this article was found at www.ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Train-Your-Dog.com)
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