Posts Tagged ‘dog house’
House Training Your Doggie
I don’t like using the terminology ‘housebreaking’ your dog. ‘House training’ your dog sounds better to me. Why? What a dog does is natural. Although where they may do it may sometimes seem unnatural to you. I don’t want to break them, I would rather train them.
If you want to have your dog live indoors with you it is imperative that you establish a hygienic household. Not just because of the smell for when visitors stop by, but because of the actual health problems both you and your animal will experience, which will prove to be medically expensive down the road. Another aspect of house training is that you are the ‘top dog’ of the house and by establishing routines and rules you will encourage the natural instincts of your dog to follow the leader.
There are several methods of house training. Crate Training. Litter Box Training. Paper Training. Command Training. Puppy Training Pads.
We will give you the basic method of Crate Training, but here is a basic synopsis of the others.
Litter Box Training
We associate the litter box with cats. Yet this same system can be used for training your dog. Most kitty litter boxes are small so this system generally works best with smaller dogs. Although you can purchase a larger container and fill it with kitty litter for bigger dogs also. You can also place this outdoors and train your dog to go there in order to eliminate backyard cleanups.
The pros to this method of training is that it becomes very easy to the dog to understand where to eliminate. And if you keep the dog in the house and are away for a longer time than usual you will not have an unnecessary surprise when you return home.
The cons to this method is that while cats cover up their waste in the litter box, its proven very hard to train your dog to do the same. So even if your kitty litter has deodorant in it, the smell of doggie doo quickly overwhelms it and will have to be cleaned very quickly. Dogs who have been previously trained to relieve themselves outdoors are generally hard to re-train to go indoors in the kitty litter box.
Paper Training
Paper training offers a solution for those who want to train their doggie to understand that there is a specific place to do their business rather just than on any other floor in the house. Paper training generally works best with new puppies and small dogs.
The pros are that a puppy can be easily trained to relieve themselves on a particular type of surface, in this case, paper, Another that it is very easy and inexpensive to train your dog to relieve themselves wherever you may be with them. Paper can be set up almost anywhere and disposed of easily.
The cons are, the odor, if not cleaned up immediately. If indoors, you would also need some heavy plastic or other hard surface underneath the paper so that the area can be easily cleaned. And also the mess can be innocently tracked around the house.
Once your puppy has been paper trained, it can be hard to train them to just go anywhere. They identify going on the paper with your approval. Another thing is to make sure that you do not have any newspapers just laying around, if you do, the poo is on you, not your dog.
Puppy Training Pads
Puppy training pads are basically the same as paper training but are much more effective at absorbing liquids and controlling odors than your everyday newspaper. They are available in several sizes. Basically they are a giant diaper on the floor. One unique thing about them is they use a chemical scent to encourage your doggie to use the pad which is generally placed in the bathroom. – pretty much the same pros and cons as regular paper, just add the extra expense.
On Command
While not as difficult as it sounds, the trick is that you have to be aware of the needs of your dog and be ready to offer positive re-enforcement with words and treats when this is accomplished. This type of training should only be done after regular indoor and or outdoor training has been accomplished.
Crate Training
Even as puppies, dogs really dislike relieving themselves within their sleeping area.
When doing crate training, it is important to have a big enough crate for the size of your puppy and never,never use crate training as a jail or punishment for your dog. The crate should be big enough for your dog to comfortably move around in, a place where your puppy can play, as well as a place to sleep in. When you are around, unless they are sleeping, your puppy generally should not be confined to the crate for more than a couple of hours.
The general concept of this type of training is that you never leave your puppy in the crate longer than they can hold themselves. In the case of a 3 month old, that would be about three hours. That is when you should take and train your puppy to do their business in a designated location.
If you have an outdoors method of house training, reinforce the routine by always leaving through the same door and if possible, at the same times each day. This will establish their routine as they get older and no longer need the crate.
Generalities
It is best to start house training your puppy when they are between 8 and 12 weeks of age. Although some vets recommend starting as early as 5 weeks old.
Remember that whatever type of training method you use, like the old saying about death and taxes, your doggie will always have an ‘accident’. Get over it and accept it right now. Puppies have small bladders and are unable to control themselves, so try to make as little fuss as possible. The more aware and responsive to your doggies patterns, the less accidents will happen. Generally they will try to relieve themselves in an out of the way place, like behind the plant in the corner, but if you see your puppy sniff around the floor and start circling around, this could be a clue that it is time for them to ‘go’. If you can catch them in time tell them “no” in a voice of authority, then take them to the proper place, and after they go, praise and reward them.
Many vets suggest not letting your dog watch you clean up their mess after they go in the wrong place. Some dogs apparently enjoy this, and will leave you another ‘gift’ as soon as possible. It’s OK though to let them watch you clean up after they relieve themselves in the proper place.
To make it less likely that your puppy will have an accident in the same spot, make sure to disinfect the area enough to remove any odor.
Stick to one training method at a time. Above all have patience.
Billy Ojai
[http://www.doglinkscafe.com]
Copyright 2008
Author: Billy Ojai
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Humorous photo captions
Get Doghouses. Purchase Houses For A Dog. Sale. Cheap
ABOUT DOG HOUSES
Dogs are a person’s best friend, but do we usually return the compliment? Here’s ways you could be a best friend to a dog. Gift him or her a dog house. I realize quite a few canine-owners that feel though dogs want nothing better than hanging out in the presence of their owners. To be sure, canines probably like being with humans a lot more than any other animal, but, come on, they too must be entitled to their own space once in a while. Even the ancient Egyptians gave their dogs their own houses, so why shouldn’t you?
This article is about various styles of dog houses together with alternative dog accessories, and where to get them via the Internet.
A kennel could be the perfect procedure of allowing a canine have a room of his own, a resting place, a structure that can give it shelter from the weather, namely wet and chill. For persons who want their dogs to win prizes at shows, getting a kennel will help facilitate their training programs. If you inhabit the center of a busy town, in an apartment building, you can always change upon the original plans and install a doghouse in the corner of a living room or even bedroom.
Size matters
Getting a doghouse is not a matter of joke. You need to keep a number of criteria in mind when you intend to buy one. 1st, a small and a large dog must not have doghouses of the same size. That is, think about your dog house as to the size of your canine. The number 1 way to accomplish this is to make sure that the canine is able to stretch itself and sleep in the doghouse. 2nd, construct the kennel clean and insulated. There must be enough air flow and protection against chill. For the latter, it is a good idea to opt for a smaller entrance and set up the doghouse so that it faces away from the prevailing wind directions.
Material benefits
Wood has traditionally been the most usual substance for dog houses, simply because its low cost, availability and hardness. There is no end of manufacturers providing wooden dog houses, although some of the bigger ones have recently been outsourcing the physical construction to countries like China. So do not be surprised to find that your picked doghouse is “Made in China”. Plastic kennels became popular since the sixties. Being lighter than wood, plastic been the preferred material considering carrying or traveling dog houses. Assuming that dogs need variety in indoor decorating as well, many doghouse manufacturers have even thought up innovations such as the Dogloo or dog houses shaped like igloos.
Be crafty
What about gifting your dog a doghouse constructed all by yourself? It’s not too that problematic, with some plywood boards, Styrofoam insulation sheets, nails, screws, caulking plus a decent toolbox. There are several easy DIY doghouses which will give you simple guidance on this. One final point: be sure that your kennel is not laying in direct contact with the ground, as that may create rotting of the wood because of the damp soil.
So now you understand what to get your dog on his next birthday. And you have some ideas whom to thank when you get all those tail-wags and woofs!
Tags: Buy, Cheap, dog house, Houses, Purchase, Sale
Suggestions For Buying a Dog House For Your Loveable Dog
Many first time dog house buyers start to wonder just how complex it needs to be. It can be hard to determine what a dog house really needs. The first thing to consider is whether you really really need an outdoor dog house for your pet.
A dog that is used to being indoors most of the time will not want to move outside no matter how nice the doghouse. Since dogs are very social animals they will most likely want to stay inside with you. While your dog may still be an indoor dog you may need a dog house which can provide nice temporary shelter for when your dog is outdoors.
There are other dogs, however, who need to spend all their time outdoors. Dog houses for these types of dogs should be very comfortable and strong. Whether your dog is left outside all the time or just occasionally always provide frequent supervision to ensure his safety.
A large dog house is not always more comfortable for the dog. This is especially important for dogs in cooler climates. When a dog house is too large your dog will not be able to warm it up with their body heat. The best dog house will be just large enough for your dog to turn around comfortably and lay down without touching the sides. The door should be wide enough for your dog to enter it without scrunching down.
The floor should be at least several inches off the ground to prevent water and moisture from entering. You can use straw for bedding as long as you change it often. To prevent the buildup of snow the roof should be sloped. There are chemicals which can be toxic to your dog in pressure treated wood so it should not be used for any part of the dog house that your dog comes into contact with. Make sure your dog can handle the outdoor conditions before you decide it should live outdoors. Smaller dogs are usually not built for outdoor life while working dogs can better withstand harsh weather.
Tags: dog house, outdoor dog houses
Dog Houses
Dog breeds all differ, just as people differ. Housing your dog depends on many factors, such as your lifestyle, your dog breed and the amount of room you have to spare.
For those who dont know me, my name is Sue Walton, and I am a professionaly accredited Dog trainer and coach. This article shares with you some of my top dog housing tips, but for my best secrets and heaps more info, you need to visit my site on dog training tips, which has a huge section on choosing and siting a great kennel/dog house.
We can start by looking at which dog you have. Housing your dog largely depends on its requirements to stay safe warm and dry.
Toy breeds by virtue of their petite size, make great house dogs. Many owners of small dogs such as terriers, shitzu or bichon are happy all the time, provided they are trained well!
These small dogs respond well to the home, providing they know their place inside! You’ll probly find that a matt or a doggy bed aroun the size of a cat bed will suffice for these small breeds.
Keeping them in shed or laundry may be ideal provided that your pet dog feels safe and it feels like it has a little area of its own. Dogs are, after all, well known for being territorial.
As for larger dogs, such as medum sized terriers, boxers and terriers, you will find that having them inside gets tedious or irritating. Not just for you the owner but for the dog too.
They require the space that outdoor freedom offers them.
In addition, you need to think about the size and space you have for housing your dog.
If your garage is well ventilated, cosy and there is not to much clutter, it might be a great area for your dog to live, if however its full of clutter and your dog has to live in a small area where it cannot make its own space, it will quickly become fustrated.
For those of us that live in areas like apartments and duplex houses (or attatched units) you should be very wary of how your dog will be exposed to the neighours. Alot of dogs dont like being housed where other people can annoy them and irritate them.
Youve also got to think about what sort of breed needs what sort of kennel or house.
Your breeder will have sussed you out before selling a dog, to see if your lifestyle suits that breed, however people often come across dogs in other circumstances. Do plenty of research into your chosen breeds living requirements. A lazy bulldog will surely be happy with a corner of the yard and little space, but you try and keep a livly species like a retreiver in a small back yard, and you will drive the poor dog crazy. Working and active breeds must have spacious runs, roomy kennels and should never be kept in tight quarters.
If your are in this circumstance, and have a yard space for your dog to be housed and run around in, please please please ensure that the fence you put up, is in good condition and is secure. Consider that your dog must not get out, but also consider if anything else can get in. Cats, other dogs & children are known for getting into places where they shouldnt be, and this can lead to trouble!
Housing a your dog also has situational requirements. Think about your climate, and where your kennel will be. Will it be cold? Windy? Directly sunny? Consider all these factors when siting a dog house in your yard or chosen space. Insulated kennels might be required if the place you live is frosty or snow prone.
Obviously in this situation a mastiff will be happier than a greyhound, so exercise common thought about the dog your dealing with. Pay attention to areas that get very hot, as this can affect the dog quickly.
Black colour on that kennel might suit your house, but will it harm your dog….? As far as buying a kennel goes nowadays there are great off the shelf items that suit many homes. Moulded polythene ones are popular but watch out if your dog is a chewer!
Avoid fibreglass kennels like the plague, as the glass can lead to pain and harm for your pet. Wood is ever popular, and looks good and is very dog friendly. If you can afford a nice wooden kennel, go for one!
My best dog housing tips, and some great examples of kennels and enclosure designs can be found at my dog resource page on housing your dog. Check it out, and the rest of my site www.dog-hobbyist.com
my dog laid a turd on the rug?
I am in shock my dog is completely house trained and last night my friend was round and i left my friend and my dog in the front room while i put my daughter to bed next thing my friend is shouting and said my dog had laid a turd..so i went down and low and behold right in front of the t.v in its full glory is this turd,now my friend has been round many many times and my dog has never ever done that my friend said what was worse was the fact he was watching tv and the dog did that right in front of him in front of the tv…..any suggestions to what was going on there? lol worse thing is my friend hates dogs poo so was wretching like mad!! it was solid he always goes out at same times each day..hes never done it in 2 years last time was when he a puppy and being house trained! HA HA HA HA JACK PMSL!!!!
Answer:
Whilst I agree with Socion and the 3 possibilities mentioned, there is a FOURTH possibility. Are you 100% sure it was your dog that pooped on the rug?