Dogs We Luv!

Like humans, our dear pets can experience anxiety that can affect their behavior.  As a pet owner, what can you do to help your pet overcome the stress or anxiety?  Consider these three stress management tips for pet owners:   photo Know the cause of anxiety. There are many possible reasons why dogs and cats get stressed out.  It can be the presence of an unfamiliar object or another animal, loud noises, or an unfamiliar situation.  Find out what’s causing your pet to be stressed out or agitated and do something about it.  If it’s an object that’s inducing stress, get it out from your pet’s sight.  If it’s the surrounding, take your dog or cat to another area where it can feel safer, more calm. If it’s not possible to remove your dog or change the situation, give it a place to hide like a crate or shelter, and make it as comfortable as possible by providing cushion, toys, or treats. Don’t add up to your pet’s agitation. A pet owne...

Dogs are easily attracted to drink water from the toilet bowl because the water is cool and easily accessible. However, dog owners must discourage their dogs from this bad drinking habit for obvious health reasons. Toilet water is not the most ideal thirst quencher. Bacteria and germs in the water can cause gastrointestinal problems and diseases to your pooch. Add to this, toilet cleaning agents that you use may contain strong chemicals that can be fatal when ingested. How can you discourage your dog from drinking water from the toilet bowl? Keep the toilet lid down when not in use. Refill his feeding bowl with fresh water twice a day. Get a pet fountain or feeding bowl with water dispenser (especially if you’re not at home during the day).

Every dog owner must learn about dog-proofing. Dog-proofing means making your home a safer place for both you and your pet. Here are some tips: Use doggie doors and gates (with security) for entrances or spaces that you want to block off. Make sure that there are no choking hazards (screws, paper clips, rubber bands, coins, needles, and other small things) lying around on the floor especially if you have puppies. If you have a lawn, make sure that there are no hazardous chemicals or materials on the ground or within reach. If you’re going to have a party at home, don’t forget to consider both your guests’ and dog’s safety especially if there will be kids. You may want to confine your dog or hire a dog sitter for the day. Give your dog his own toys that he can safely play with. If your floor is carpeted, vacuum daily to get rid of fur and dander. Groom your dog regularly. For furniture, choose materials that are durable and easy to clean. Use slipcovers t...

Dogs are not possessions. They are friends. They are family members. And if you’re going to share your home with a dog, you need to be ready for the joys and the responsibilities. Questions to con sider when choosing a dog: Are you an active person? Do you have allergies? (If you do, read For Dog Lovers with Pet Allergies ) Do you have kids? Do you live in an apartment? Should you get a large dog o r a sm aller dog? If you live in an apartment, a smaller dog breed may be best unless you have time to take your dog out on walks every day. Larger dog breeds generally have greater needs than smaller ones (in terms of food, exercise, hygiene, veterinary services, etc.) Seriously consider this: Do you have the time, energy, and money to care for a larger dog? However, if you’re looking for a jogging or a walking partner, small dogs may not be the best companions. Large dogs are perfect for this lifestyle. Dogs and Temperaments Like people, dogs also have their...

Notice how untrained dogs pull on the leash as their human helplessly tries to make them stop? Dog walking can be a lot of fun, but if your dog isn’t following your lead, it can be very strenuous and frustrating. How do you train a dog to walk properly and follow your lead? Here are the steps: Before putting on the leash, let your dog sit and stay * * . Dogs love to go out for walks and seeing you with that leash in your hand can make him ecstatic. Never put on that leash until he sits and stays. If you do, he’ll get used to jumping around and would never stay still as you put on the leash on his neck. If he continues to jump around, put the leash away and repeat the command “Sit”. Make sure that your dog understands that unless he does as told, he’s not going out for a walk. If he sits and stays, and waits for you to put on the leash, praise him, give him a pat and assure him that he’s done a good job. Walk him to the door. After putting on the leash, your dog may...

Teaching a dog about discipline is very important and meal times are the perfect time to teach your dog a few tricks about good behavior. Here are three important lessons on dog feeding: Use feeding time as trainin g time. Because you are the one providing food, your dog should learn to recognize you as the leader of the pack. Never tolerate barking, jumping or growling as you prepare his food or as you put down his feeding bowl. Your dog should patiently sit and wait for you and not the other way around. Say the command “Sit” and wait for your dog to do so before letting him have his food. If he refuses to obey your command, ignore him. Don’t give his food until he stops barking or jumping. When he’s quiet, say the command “Sit” and observe. If he’s done well, praise him and give him his bowl. Soon your dog will learn that if he wants to be fed, he must behave properly. *If your dog isn’t trained to “Sit”, you can start the lesson on How to Teach Your Dog to Sit a...

One of the most annoying things that dogs do is rolling in smelly stuff like poop, garbage, mud and dead animals. Is this a natural thing? Is there anything you can do to stop it? Why Do Dogs Roll in Smelly Stuff? According to zoologists, this is natural dog behavior. In fact, even Wolves (canis lupus) do the same thing. The theory behind this instinctive behavior is that animals roll in stinky stuff to camouflage its own scent. Thus, when it’s time to hunt for food, their dog smell won’t send an alarm to their prey. How to Stop Your Dog from Rolling in Funny Smelling Things Catch the act. If there’s anything you want to stop your dog from doing, you need to catch him in the act. If you’re going to reprimand your dog a few seconds after the BAD DEED was done, he won’t understand why in the world he’s being reprimanded for. You can set up poop on your garden or backyard so you can watch him and catch him on the act.  Remember, you need to be watchful and catc...

Dogs and puppies are playful creatures. They love to bounce, jump, run and move around. But sometimes, you need for your dog to just sit still and not go anywhere. The Sit and Stay command is one of the basic and most important commands that all dogs must learn. Obeying these simple commands isn’t just for your safety but for your dog's safety as well. How can you train your pet to sit and stay? Here are some tips: Teaching Your Dog the SIT Command Prepare small treats in your pocket. Hold a nibble in front of your dog and slowly raise your hand until it’s out of reach. Your dog should naturally take a sitting position (with its rear body lower to the ground). As he takes this position, say the command (“SIT”) once, before letting him have the treat. You can also tap your pet and gently lower his rear body to the ground. Say the command SIT as he takes the sitting position. If he’s done correctly, give him a treat and praise him for a job well done. Remember ...

Digging is natural dog behavior. However, a dog’s excessive digging can be both annoying and pestering at the same time. If your dear pet is guilty of this behavior, what can you do? How can you stop a dog from digging? The first important step is to know the reason behind a dog’s bad behavior. Although digging is a natural canine thing, there are many possible reasons why your dog is doing it excessively.  Check out the following possibilities: Boredom. A bored dog may resort to digging just to have something to do. Space. If his dog house is too small, he may try digging to widen out the space. Curiosity. If there are sights, sounds and smells that are beyond a dog’s reach, the tendency is to dig to try get out. Underground creatures. Dogs have a natural flair for hunting. Your dog may smell the scent of burrowing animals from underground and instinctively tries to unearth them by digging. Hot weather. Your dog may try to dig...

Just like humans, dogs can also show feelings of aggression towards other dogs and humans. Dogs can become so aggressive as to growl, show fierceness and sometimes, bite. However, there is always a reason behind these feelings of aggression. It is worth noting that dogs will often show warning signs first before resorting to extreme behavior. Therefore, humans can avoid dangerous situations by learning how to read signals of dog aggression.   But first let’s talk about the possible reasons of aggressive behavior in dogs. What Causes Dog Aggression? There are many possible reasons why a dog can become aggressive. Fear and anxiety are common causes of aggression. Boredom may also cause a dog to lose its calmness.   Dogs who feel threatened or feel like their personal space is being invaded can also become agitated. Traumatic circumstances that a dog may have experienced can result to aggression too. This is true especially with dogs who have been a...

 How can you teach a dog good behavior?  Here are ten tips: 1. Use positive reinforcement. When a dog isn’t behaving well, don’t yell or say NO! Instead, reinforce a positive action such as “Sit” or “Stay”. Help your dog to understand your command and if he’s done correctly, praise him for his good behavior. 2. Be realistic with your expectation s. Not all dogs are the same so don’t expect your dog to be as behaved as your neighbor’s dog is. Some dog breeds are really active while others are not. Learn to be more tolerant about certain behaviors that are normal or “expected” for dogs like digging the ground or being playful. When a certain dog behavior is not agreeable for you, try to give your dog his own space where he can do what he wants without invading yours. 3. Be consistent with your rules. A dog understands only a YES and a NO. It doesn’t understand the gray line. If you don’t want your dog to jump up on you when you’re wearing your best...