Canine Corner - Dog Blog

Welcome to the Dog Blog! 

 

Today we’re going to briefly touch on solving the overnight in the crate and no water problem as well as a fantastic cleaner and deodorizer for cleaning up messes. 

 

If you're worried about your puppy or dog not having water in the evening, put an ice cube or two in their bowl with no water.  This will melt slowly and will in most cases save you from having to get up in the middle of the night with a whining dog that needs to go to the bathroom.   This also could save you having to get up to let them out or yet another trip to the floor with paper towels and deodorizer.

 

On that subject (deodorizer), do not, we repeat, DO NOT use a mop and bucket or a rag to clean up an accident.  This only spreads the smell around on your floors around and makes your mop and rags smell pretty bad to boot.  ;o)

 

From a single drop of urine, the sniffing dog learns the marking animal's sex, diet, health, emotional state, and even whether it's dominant or submissive, friend or foe.  So what does this mean to you?  If there is a scent left, they will find it.

 

We have however found and recommend a product called "Nature's Miracle".  We found it at the amazon.com.  If you're interested in getting it for yourself, just follow the link below. 

It is available in an orange scent (our favorite) and according to the bottle it "Instantly activates to permanently remove the toughest stains and odors including pet urine and more!"  

 

This stuff really seems to do the trick.  We tried it with our dogs and ended up sticking with it permanently.  We also have tried it on carpets that were stained by past accidents and it also worked miracles.  

 

Trust us when we say this, products like Windex just don't do the job and the odds are that your puppy or dog will re-use the same spot in the future.  Buy a good, instant, and permanent remover and stick with it.  The results far outweigh the price and frustration of an inferior product.     

 

That's it for Potty Training 101.  As always, please email us if you have any questions or need further information.  Remember consistency is the key, sometimes doggie land mines are impossible to avoid, and go out there and make it a great day!  :o)

 

Canine Corner - Dog Blog

Welcome to the Dog Blog!  Today we’re going to talk about food as it relates to potty training.

 

Potty training also applies to feeding times.  Puppies generally have pretty quick digestive systems.  So if you feed them, there is only a 5-15 minute window of opportunity to get them out before they will leave you a "present".

 

Another part of being a pack leader is directly related to feeding times and time allowed to feed. Puppies should be fed 3 times a day according to the label on their dog food.  Amount should be based on their body weight and most pet food companies are very good about putting this on the label.

 

We feed in the morning, during lunch hour, and in the evening before we eat.  With puppies we allow about a 20 minute window to eat because everything in their world is new to them and they are easily distracted.  Then we take the food and water away.  Being a pack leader you are already teaching them that they will be fed when you say they will be fed.  

 

Don't worry, they won't starve.  But we can guarantee you if they do go hungry a few times, they will be ready, willing, and eager to eat right away the next time.  ;o)

 

If your puppy or dog jumps up before you get the food bowl down (or even if they don't), make sure they are in a calm state before you put the bowl down.  This can save you a lot of frustration in spilled food and water in the future.  With our boys, we make them sit first; the analogy being, you can't jump when you are sitting.

 

Remember, if you play hard with them, take them for a walk, or anything that requires more water, let them drink it but then remember to take them out again immediately after and before putting them in their crate for the night.  

 

That’s all for today!  Join us tomorrow for another Dog Blog with a hot tip!

 

Canine Corner - Dog Blog

Welcome to the Dog Blog!

 

Puppies like adult dogs will almost always give you visual clues that they need to go outside such as whining, excessive jumping, sniffing, spinning, etc.  We have a friend whose dog leans against the door and that is the only clue.  You will learn your dogs "warning sign or signs" as you get acquainted with each other.  

 

One thing we've learned is that most puppies are somewhat like cows.  Get them up and moving and they will "go".  

 

So the first thing to do when you feed them, get them up from a nap or wake up in the morning is to show them to the door and then to the area that you want them to relieve themselves in.  Use a verbal command such as "Outside" to move them to the door.  It is important to note that when teaching commands, use one or two word commands and don't say anything else or it can cause confusion.  

 

Once outside in their designated area use a command such as "Go" each and every time.  This helps your puppy to know what they are supposed to do and prevents the sniffing and roaming ritual frustrations so many dog owners experience.  Once they are done, praise them like crazy and if you want to, let them play.  But only do this after they "Go".

 

One tip on the taking them to the area you want them to relieve themselves in... (and yes, we know it's a pain) but just do it until they learn where you want them to go.  Otherwise they will think the world is their poop deck and you will have more than one encounter with their special brand of "chocolates".  :o)  

 

Also, if you have two puppies (and yes, we should have our heads examined), take them each out individually.  We tried letting them out together but then they just played off from each other's energy and forgot all about what they were out there for.

 

With regard to all punishment and including “accidents”, always remember that you need to catch them in the act.  If it happens (and it will), Scold them with a loud NO!  In the case of accidents, take them to the pre-designated area to relieve themselves in.  

 

If you are using outdoors or a litter box for training, always follow up with lots of praise or in our case, we have always used healthy treats.  Our dogs come back to the door immediately after relieving themselves because they know that if they do, they will usually get a treat.  Down the road, you can play it like the lottery; sometimes your dog gets a treat and sometimes they don’t. 

 

With other bad behaviors always follow up with the proper correction (a loud “NO” will usually suffice) and follow it with the positive action you want them to do instead (instead of jumping, you make them sit).  You will win the battle of wills much faster if you are always consistent!  

 

We hope you’ve enjoyed today’s Dog Blog.  Now go out there and make it a great day!  :o)

 

Canine Corner - Dog Blog

Welcome to the Dog Blog!

 

Looking at our two boys, (Carny and Buddy) and watching them at play, we're struck by how many other canine/dog owners out there may have experienced the same frustrations we have encountered (or have yet to encounter).  So that is what this Dog Blog will cover.

 

Our biggest and admittedly first frustration was potty training also known as housebreaking your new puppy.  It is always seemingly difficult in the beginning but with two puppies at the same time it felt like we would never get there.  But get there we did!  Over the next several dog blogs, I will cover several things which you should find invaluable if you’ve never been down the path of potty training your puppy or dog (or even if you have).

 

The primary key to housebreaking is consistency.  And in our case, with two at once, it all began with crate training.  

 

The crate training method is perfect for any situation because let's face it...you are not going to be able to watch your new puppy 100% of the time.  Crates are not cruelty.  Crates are your puppy’s new home and that is just exactly how they will see it too.  

 

Your puppy and then dog will come to look at their crate as their own personal space.  In fact, we occasionally catch one of our two sleeping in the crate with the door open.  

 

In most cases, your puppy will not go where they sleep.  So it is good peace of mind for you that once they have done their "business", if you need to do something else and cannot supervise them, crate them.  

 

If you do get a puppy from a pet store (which I do not recommend), you will have to watch them in the crate too.  Puppies and dogs can be reformed from going where they sleep and although it can be difficult, it can be done.  The best thing is to start them out right with proper crate training.   

 

Once they are outside of the crate, the first thing to remember is to set boundaries.  This is also part of being a pack leader.  In the wild, pack leaders will snap, growl, nip or even bite other dogs in the pack if they are out of line.

 

In our case we have a large kitchen with vinyl floors and what I laughing call four "escape hatches" also known in this case as doorways.  Every possible outlet into the rest of your house should be blocked at all times so that they are allowed to roam outside of a considerably smaller area.  This can be achieved by child gates, boards, and in our case; even the crates themselves!

 

Blocking the “escape hatches”  is very important in order to establish the area they are allowed to be in.  Limit it to just that area and only with supervision.  

 

It helps to think of your puppy like a small child.  If you are not supervising them, we can guarantee that their "land mines and ponds" are not fun to step in.  Also, if you have any other dangers in the room such as cords plugged into electrical outlets, they will find those too so be aware and take care or you could end up with an accident requiring a trip to the emergency animal hospital or even death!  So, it’s best to “puppy proof” your training area from the get go.  Just do it!

 

That’s all for today’s dog blog!  Check back often and we’ll talk more about the potty training process.  Have a terrific day!  :o)