Dog Behaviour Tips - What to Do About Excessive Licking

If your dog annoys you with licking, you should take some steps to eliminate this habit. There are some people who enjoy having their dog lick them. However, the majority of us would prefer if our dog would keep it's tongue to itself. So you need to do some things to correct this annoying behavior.

Tips to prevent the licking

You should use a firm correction 'no' immediately after the dog licks you or any other person. Unless there is a correction, the dog will not understand that this is an unwanted behavior and will simply continue. For some dogs making a loud noise will correct the problem.

Interrupt the licking process

If the dog doesn't respond to your reprimands while licking, you should take other measures. You can start of with something the dog knows, for example a sit-stay exercise for a few minutes.. As soon as the command is obeyed by your dog, you can reward the dog with plenty of verbal praise. This just gives it something else to do.

Support from friends and family members

Not licking you also means not licking anybody else. You should let friends and family members understand that you are training your dog in a serious way to stop the licking. They should not encourage, allow or tolerate the licking either.

The sure fire method

Grannick's Bitter Apple

OK, I saved the best for last. This is a method I have been using with my clients for the last 8 or 9 years. I use a product called Grannicks Bitter Apple. Pay attention to the brand name because there are several different brands that just don't work as well. You can buy Grannicks at just about any pet store.

The key is to keep the bottle on you or with you for the next few days. When the dog comes up and licks your hand, without saying a word simply grab the bottle and spray you hand. Really soak it and then give it back to the dog. The dog says "wow, you don't taste good anymore". Do this for the next couple of days and you will love the results.

This product is great, it doesn't stain and is not harmful to you so you can use it anywhere.

I have never seen a dog that didn't quit the licking before the first bottle of Grannicks is gone.

Good luck...

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Fun Games to Play With Dogs Indoors

Whether it is snowing or sunshine your dog needs entertainment on a daily basis. You should take the time to give your pet enough exercise and mental stimulation to keep him occupied all day. By including some fun activities, it is possible to keep your dog in good shape both physically and mentally. There are plenty of games that you can play with your dog based on how much time you have available and how much space you have in your house. If outdoor conditions are not perfect for being outside inside games will work.

Hide and seek

The dog's imagination can be well stimulated through the hide and seek game. You can play this game with your dog and you will both enjoy it. In order to get your dog used to this game, you should hide in locations that are easy for your dog to find you in the beginning.

You can guide the dog slowly by calling its name (if needed in the beginning). As soon as the dog reaches your hiding spot, give it hugs and kisses so that it will be excited to play the game again. With hide and seek, you can have endless hours of play and fun.

Training your dog

When you are indoors, you should devote some time for training. By going through some training exercises, you can bond with your dog. Having a well trained dog in your home is great and for a large dog it is a must. Work on sit and down stay exercises, these are very import to establish you as the master

Tug of war

Tuffy Ultimate Dog Toy

This is a game that most dogs really enjoy. Keep in mind that during the game the dog should always allow you to win the tug item. Allowing the dog to win can create some aggression with certain dogs and remember that children should never play tug of war with the dog.

Retrieving

Retrieving or fetching is something that most dogs enjoy, of course some more than others. Using a squeaky toy, tennis ball or even a knotted rope throw it down a hall way and have your dog bring it back. Warning, some dogs will do this for hours. Of course there are dog that won't do it at all.

Retrieving is a great way to exercise your dog and build a bond between the two of you at the same time.

I hope this article will help you have fun with your dog.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Fun-Games-to-Play-With-Dogs-Indoors&id=8170425

Easy Dog Training Tips

This article is loaded with tips on how to begin training your best friend to behave better. You will find a good assortment of ideas that will help the new dog owner become an expert when it comes to dog training.

The easiest way to crate train an adult dog is to make it fun. Put the crate in a room and use the crate to play games by throwing in a toy and allowing your dog to go in and get it. By using this method, the dog learns that the crate is a fun place where good things happen. You can also make a game out of throwing a treat in the crate an allowing the dog to go after it.

Dogs can be a real pain when it comes to jumping up on you or company. I use a simple spray bottle to humanely teach the dog not to jump. A very effective and humane way to eliminate this problem is by using a water bottle. Simply adjust the spray bottle to have a jet like stream. When the dog approaches to jump give the command "no jump" as you spray the dog between the eyes with two sprays from the water bottle. Three or four rounds using this technique will teach the dog that jumping is not allowed.

Sometimes thinking like a dog can help you solve some of the problems that your dog is exhibiting. Dogs are different that humans and they need to be treated using what makes sense to them.

When training your dog the stay command, take small incremental steps. First tell him to sit and then stay. When he has held that position for 15 or 20 seconds, give him a bunch of praise. Repeat the process, praising him after he stays a bit longer with each repetition. Make the sit-stays longer and farther as he gets better. When your dog is doing the sit-stay well then move onto the down-stay using the same simple steps.

As a good dog owner you want to provide plenty of physical stimulation as well as mental stimulation daily. Training sessions keep your dog busy and with physical exercise like walking and playing fetch you will keep your dog active. Remember that a trained dog is a happy dog and an exhausted dog is even happier.

If your dog doesn't like car rides, you can teach him to enjoy it. Simply get your dog used to car rides in small steps. Start by going for a rides around the block. After you have done this a few times you can start to make the rides a little longer. Make each trip longer and in no time your dog will love to take rides in the car.

Hopefully this assortment of tips will give you a head start when it comes to having a well-behaved dog. These tips should help you begin to develop your skills as a dog trainer by having a well-behaved, obedient dog.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Easy-Dog-Training-Tips&id=8165412

Puppy House Training, The Easy Way, Part 2

Three Places Your Puppy Can Be

House training your pup will be a 4 to 6 week program. During this period there are 3 places where you dog MUST be at ALL times.

1. In the crate

2. On the grass

3. Attached to you

Okay let's talk about each of these, let's start with number 1 in the crate. I tell new puppy owners that their new pet will be in the crate probably more than they would like. However keep in mind that this is a puppy and at eight or nine weeks old it needs lots of sleep and rest.

In the very beginning take your puppy out every hour if possible. Then move to two hours, then three, and then four hours over a period of weeks. How fast can we move from one hour to two hours and so on. That all depends on the dog but if you're having success at one hour go ahead and move to 2 and so on.

Okay let's talk about number 2 on the grass. Dogs develop a preference for where they do their business and we want your dog's preference to be the grass. So the more time your dog can spend on the grass the quicker that will become its preference. Keep in mind that the more accidents your dog has on the carpet, the hardwoods, or the tile that will become its preference. So we're going to do everything we can to keep it from having any accidents in the house..

The third Place your dog can be is attached to you. That's just what it sounds like. If you're going to have the dog out of the crate and not on the grass then take its leash and attach it to its collar, then attach it to your belt so that the dog is right next to you.

Most dogs, and there are exceptions to every rule, do not want to do their business in front of you. Usually they want to go around the corner or behind the couch, anywhere that you can't see them doing their business.

By having your puppy attached to you there is much less of a chance that your dog is going to have an accident.

This is really all very simple and I can assure you that if you'll follow these three simple rules even your first week home with the puppy you won't have more than a couple of accidents and those are usually a human's fault.

One last thing I'd like to discuss is how does the puppy learn to let you know when it needs to do its business. It's simple, it rings the bell! What you need is a small bell like a cowbell. Ideally I find that those are much better than a jingle bell because your dog may get a nail stuck in the jingle bell.

Simply hang the bell from the door that you take your dog out to do its business. Have it hanging low enough that when you walk your puppy to the door you can take its paw and hit the bell and immediately open the door. Your puppy will learn that when the bell rings the door automatically opens.

It usually takes a pup 4 to 8 weeks to catch on to the bell trick. The good news is that 85% of dogs learn how to ring the bell.

I hope these tips help you. Give them a try and you'll find that you will have a house trained puppy in no time.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Puppy-House-Training,-The-Easy-Way,-Part-2&id=8165358

Puppy House Training, The Easy Way, Part 1

Now that you brought your new puppy home it's time to house train that little guy. House training your puppy is one of the most important things you can do for you and your dog. Most people aren't aware that the number one reason dogs end up in shelters is because of house training issues.

Quite often a puppy owner will tell me that it's okay we understand if it has accidents, it's just a puppy. And I reply but it is nine months old and your dog should be house trained by now.

However some time between 12 and 24 months old I always get a call from that same client that says we have to either get the dog house trained or my husband says it has to go. It has ruined the carpet, and our home smells like urine.

It would have been so much simpler to do this in the beginning when the puppy first came home. Here are some ideas to help you get that puppy house trained quicker and easier.

Potty Training Methods

Of course like everything else there's more than one way to potty train a puppy. But in this article we are going to talk about the method that I have found with my decades of dog training experience to be the easiest.

Crate Training

The easiest method to house train a puppy is by using a crate. Occasionally I'll have a client who says "oh that seems so cruel to put the puppy in a crate". However that's the farthest thing from the truth.

In fact the crate is the greatest gift you can give your dog. Dogs are den animals and they learn to love their crate as if it were their den. While we are talking about crates let's make sure you choose the right one.

Wire Dog Crate

There are two types of crates available, the wire crate and the plastic crate. I explain to my clients that the wire crate does not give the den feeling. In fact if you were in the wire crate looking out you would feel like you were in a jail.

The plastic crate on the other is more enclosed and has that den

Plastic Dog Crate

feeling that your puppy will be looking for.

Make sure that the crate you purchase for your puppy is large enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around and lay down. It shouldn't be so big they can do their business in one part of the crate and lay in another.

We want the crate small enough so that if your dog has an accident mother nature will tell it to hold it next time until you can allow it to go outside.

Another good rule to follow is to make sure there is nothing in the bottom of the crate that will absorb urine etc. (blankets or towels) Again this is so your dog with mother natures help learns to hold it until you take it out.

In Part 2 of this article I am going to give you more information on house training your puppy, The Easy Way!

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Coping With Cushings Disease in Your Dog

Cushings Disease usually affects middle-aged and older dogs. The symptoms of Cushings are often similar to the signs of old age so many dogs with Cushings may go untreated. Owners who have dogs with these symptoms may assume that their dogs are simply getting old and they may have them put to sleep sooner than is necessary. Cushings Disease is treatable and treatment can add several years to an older dog's life.

The symptoms of Cushings Disease may include the following:

1. Increase water intake

2. Increased urination

3. Urinary accidents

4. Increased appetite

5. The emergence of food guarding problems or begging

6. A bloated appearance

7. The appearance of weight gain

8. The appearance of weight loss

9. A bony look to the head

10. Lethargy

11. Weakness in the hind legs

12. Reluctance to jump up on furniture

13. Extra panting and seeming to be hot

14. Thinning hair on both sides of the body

15. Dry, dull coat

16. Slow regrowth of hair after grooming

17. Wrinkled or dark pigmented skin

18.Increase in infections such as skin infections or urinary infections

19. Occurrence of diabetes, pancreatitis, or seizures

Any of these symptoms may also be associated with other health problems but, taken together, they can indicate Cushings Disease, especially in elderly dogs.

The usual cause of Cushings Disease is the presence of a tiny tumor on the pituitary gland. This tumor produces a chronic excess of cortisol in the blood which, in turn, may cause an imbalance in blood sugar levels, the body's fat metabolism, interfere with skeletal muscles, kidney function, the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and even depress the immune system response.

Older dogs are much more likely to get Cushings. The average age of a canine Cushings patient is 10 years old. Spayed and neutered dogs are somewhat more likely to get Cushings. Small dogs are more likely to develop Cushings -- some 75 percent of cases are found in dogs that weigh less than 44 pounds.

There are several tests used to detect Cushings. Once detected, there are several possible treatments for Cushings Disease. They can include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation, and treatment with drugs such as Lysodren.

Left untreated, the prognosis for a patient with Cushings is not very good. These dogs are prone to various infections and various organs may begin to shut down. However, if the disease is treated there is every reason to expect the dog to begin recovering and to live out life to a great old age.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Coping-With-Cushings-Disease-in-Your-Dog&id=8165493

Stop Your Dog From Eating His Own Poop

One of the most disgusting things your dog can do is eating his own poop. This behavior is actually known as coprophagy. I think most owners will agree that there's nothing worse than getting kisses from a dog who just finished eating his own waste.

So the question is how to solve the problem. There are several different methods to use and in this article we are going to discuss some of them.

Why My Dogs Eats His Poop

The first question is why is my dog eating his poop. You might want to make an appointment with your veterinarian and see if he can give you some type of idea as to what's going wrong. Your dog may suffer from some type of nutritional deficiency that can easily be cured with a supplement. Eating poop can be a sign of a deficiency that can be easily detected with a blood test

Another reason is the fact that he may just like the taste. I will give you some ideas how to keep it from tasting so good.

Stop The Habit

If your veterinarian finds that there is no deficiency that can be cured with a supplement you will need to try some other methods.

Pooper Scooper

One of the easiest ways to help cure this horrible habit is to reduce the dog's opportunity to eat his own poop which means when you release your dog in the back yard to do his business you need to follow it and pick up the poop immediately with the pooper scooper.

If your dog usually does his business on a walk simply move him from the area immediately while you bag up his waist.

Deterrents

There are several deterrents on the market that work in varying degrees. What I mean by that is with some dogs these deterrents work really well and with other dogs they don't seem to work it all.

For-Bid

You can purchase a product called Forbid, from your local veterinarian. However it's pretty pricey and can cost you a dollar or more per meal. So a very good economical alternative is Adolph's Meat Tenderizer which cam be purchased at your local grocery store. Simply sprinkle some on each meal.

If the meat tenderizer doesn't work then you might give a try to pineapple. Yes, pineapple that fruit that we love to eat. You can use either fresh pineapple or canned pineapple to accomplish the task. There is no set formula as to how much to use, however I would start with a teaspoon for a small dog and a tablespoon for a large dog. The pineapple tastes great going in, but has a bad taste coming out.

Eliminating this horrible habit will definitely take some tenacity on your part. You are going to need to be present each and every time your dog has a bowel movement.

I hope this article has given you some ideas and hopefully with some persistence your dog will finally loose this disgusting habit.

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