Dog Health Questions: Can I leave a pee pad in the puppy pen?

I just got a 12 weeks maltese. He has used pee pads few times, but still pees on the carpet or in his play pen sometimes. My husband told me to leave the pad inside the pen, but I read that the pee pads shouldn't be left inside the play pen on some dog training websites. It didn't say the reason.
Does anybody know why I shouldn't do that or can I just do it?
Thanks!

Choosing Basics Dog Training Methods

Recommended Answer:
Potty pads are fine in the play pen as long as it is on the opposite side from there bed, food and water. I believe the reason for not putting the potty pads in the play pen is because you should keep their living area separate so they don't associate it with where to do their business. For the potty training you can get them on a schedule. Usually right after a nap they will want to go, you pretty much have to stalk them =] when potty training. You should also place them on the pad about 30 min after eating once you get them used to that routine they will start doing it on there own its pretty neat.

Learn More About Some Of The Best Ways To Begin Dog Training And More About What Not To Do

• What anal retentive idiot advocates that? The dog is PENNED. What's he supposed to do? Call out to you:
  
  "Ewww, DAAAHLING....I say....I dew need to MAKE STOOL...would you be sew kind as to tether me to a leash and take me outside, luvvie?"
  
  If you can get the dog to hit the pad, that's good. He'll associate peeing with the pad. That's DOUBLY good in the midst of a snowstorm.
  
  These people who don't like the pee pads around are dealing with mastiffs who should get out of the habit of pissing in the house. Little dogs, some of them, can even be litter box trained. In fact, that high end Hammacher Schlemmer store sells an indoor poop/pee facility for dogs, which they advertise as "great for apartments!"
  
  


• They suggest to not leave pee pads in with a dog unattended because they may eat it.
  
  Then you might have a high vet bill for blockage.
  
  I have seen too many dogs die or be ill from people laying things out for there dogs to eat.
  
  The puppy should be in a small- size appropriate crate.
  


• Yes you can i have four dogs and i did with all and it potty trained them


• JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


• sure...

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: How do I get my two dogs to stop barking at every dog and person we pass while on walks?

I have two small dogs who are two years old. I took them to group dog training to help with socializing in the past, they go to the dog groomers and they see people that come to the house. However, every walk I take them on, which is everyday, they bark intensly and pull toward passing people or dogs. If no one is out they walk fine.

Please help...this is driving me crazy. I get angry and frustrated at this as it is really embarrasing. Our walks are nightmarers. What can I do?

Is Your Dog Training You?

Recommended Answer:
Your dogs bark because they can and because they have no idea you want them to stop - you are not communicating with them in a way they can understand.. A big dog attacking your dog -doesn`t matter - because honestly, you need to get past that, and if you are still reacting, you might be part of the problem (if you are nervous now of big dogs your anxiety is transitted to your dogs)

So, my list : you need to relax. If you are tense your dogs will sense it. Its hard I know (I have a big dog and it was bitten by a bigger dog - so trust me, there is always a bigger dog).

Stop having a dialog with them. (I presume you either yell or say `no, quiet, please be quiet, please please please shut-up...smile). Your dog has tuned you out and your pleading or cries or frustrated yells just spur them on.

Its one direction - one correction.
I realize you wont likely accept my advice but I will give it anyway :

- first, take one dog out at a time until you get control The two are feeding off each other.<
- second, put both of them on a prong collar which you can buy in a pet store, and stop thinking its cruel. Its not if used humanely.
- Third, redirect his bad behaviour to good behaviour by communicating with him. When you see someone approaching with a dog calmly tell them `its OK, I see him, leave it`. Then hopefully your dog has some obedience training already, command your dog to heel. STANDING STILL STARING AT A DOG BUILDS SUSPICION which will send a message to your dog to be on alert and begin barking and it also will put the other dog on guard. MOTION reduces aggression - so get moving - not running mind you. Just begin walking and if you feel better, move off the sidewalk or cross the road to put distance between you and the other dog (I still do that now - I`m too old for dog fights)

OBEDIENCE re-directs his behaviour - from what he should not to - to what he should do. Its a positive way to channel him.

- Fourth - your dog will bark - no question. Hes done it all his life till now. So, when he barks out (after all the steps above,) make a quick correction - not so hard you launch the dog into an alternate universe - its called equal force. In other words just enough to get his attention. Prong collars apply pressure equally around the neck - and they will not close on a dog like a regular choker.

So pull just enough to get him to stop - he will look at you for the first time and suddenly see you as his leader - and he will look for direction -

So IMMEDIATELY say :`good leave it`and ``heel` and then commence walking. Dont make a big deal out if - because if you get all wired up - he will start barking again. Maintain your composure, and be calm. Turn a very small circle to refocus your dog - at heel finsihing in the same spot you started with him sitting.

This circle thing to a dog its like a whole new world. They forget about what they were all riled up about, they forget they just got corrected, and look at you with renewed respect. Finally you have control and now your dog is listening.

LESS TALK - don`t babble. Just be calm, be decisive, and be clear about what you want your dog to do. This idea that you can negotiate with him by talking to him, pulling him gently back (which is just pumping him up for more aggression because tension on a lead builds aggression), or somehow cajoling him into quiet because you look embarased is frankly silly.

Again ONE DIRECTION ONE CORRECTION.

EDIT TO ADD: WALK YOUR DOGS ON A LOOSE LEAD. Tension in the lead creates anxiety and builds suspicion. If they dont know how to heel, its a good time to teach them.

DO NOT yank your dog without warning him first that you want him to leave it. In other words, be fair, communicate with your dog to allow him to anticipate what is right vs wrong. It is cruel to just apply negative reinforcement without giving a dog a chance to be right.

Do this every time he barks - it will stop in about a day or less.

Then repeat for the second dog.

When you have them under control, walk them both on prong collars and continue communicating with them.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Dog Training Tips For Hard-To-Train Dogs

• Well first of all you take out one dog at a time and this will immediately help to see if both dogs have a problem, or whether one is winding the other up.
  
  Continue separately until you have managed to train each to stop this behavior.
  
  Even if their walking time is less than usual for you to do both, you should still do it. They don't go out together again until you have stopped it.


• One thing that helps is running the dogs, not walking them. Dogs that are running don't have time to bark.
  
  My Toy Poodle used to be scared to death of people's garbage cans sitting on the curb, and I tried everything to change that. She didn't have time to be afraid of them as we ran past them, and now she walks by them just fine. I run both of my dogs at the same time, on a leash coupler.
  
  If the dogs that approach you are aggressive, SCREAM at them at the top of your lungs, and they'll usually back off. It works for me. If the owners allow the dogs to do this continually, do call the law and report a "stray". Don't mention anything about you knowing where the dog lives.


• well i have a dog who barks at the window when anyone walks by, he is not vicious and he is very lovable but because he is a doberman he is massive. i just hold his mouth together by gently holding the nose and chin together and saying no, he doesnt do it that much now.


• Well you have to discipline the dog you have to teach him not to bark at other dogs and people. You have to gently pull the dog back and scold him/her :)


• training, socialization and discipline


• Sounds like your dog are relying on each other and this bad behaviour is resulting..........one dog will be doing it and the other following suit..........so one dog at time, separate walks and work out which is the one who is leading this.....then you can work on curing it and with only one dog to deal with it will be quick to sort out.....watch for the body language, get the dog attention and while it is watching you and you are walking by without incident you can then praise for good behaviour rather than getting frustrated and embarrassed which will nt help you or the dog as it gives off weak anxious energy and the dogs will think this weakness could be fear which encourages more barking........NILIF is always good to use daily http://k9aro.webs.com/nilif.htm, look at behaviour on the website as well......a change in your behaviour will change your dogs behaviour...........good luck


• Here's a big help. If you have a friend or know some one with a dog(who is usually calm or well trained) as well, that's great. here's what you do. have have your friend walk with his/her dog past your dog(it is best to train your dogs one by one because if one of your dog starts barking, the other one will most likely to join in the barking). if your dog starts barking, turn him/her around or take him/her inside the house so they cant see the other dog. once your dog has calmed down, try again. once he/she stops barking at your friend and his/her dog, reward your dog with a treat. repeat to see your dog understands what to do at this situation. do the same for your other dog. if you think they are ready, try training them at the same time. then try it out with random people and see if it works. dont forget to reward them! HOPE THIS HELPS!

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: How do i make my dog more obedient?

Hello!!!
I just goy a dog for my birthday in August and it is the cutest thing ever its a toy Yorkie and i loved it for like 2 weeks and know it just drives my crazy, I used to let it sleep in my room in like a cute like box thing but it would wake me up at 5:00 in the morning so know it just sleeps outside with my other dog. And very time I open the backyard door it runs inside the house and when you go to pick it up it pee's. It also digs holes, doesn't go to the bathroom in the grass and it barks all night its just crazy. I was thinking about taking it to a dog training class at pets-mart but I don't really know if it works. Please give me advise on how to fix this problem as fast as I can and without to much work involved.

thanks
XOXO

Guard Dog Training Tips & Tricks Revealed

Recommended Answer:
Never let your dog sleep on your bed unless you want him to be spoiled and don't really care.

It is best to leave you dog to sleep in it's own bed locked somewhere in the house such as the laundry room, and if he/she starts barking, don't go see what's wrong because he/she just wants attention and going to see whats wrong with her/him would let him/her think that he/she is the boss and would take advantage on you.

Always let your dog out at about every two hours or one hour. And if you want your dog to be potty trained inside the house, you could by these dog nappy pads that you spread out on the floor, and then whenever it is just about to pee or poo, quickly take your dog to the nappy pad, and keep taking it to the pad until it will go to do its potty on the pad by itself.

If it digs holes in the garden whenever you let it out, make sure your garden is fenced and that the fence is stuck into the ground, so when it digs a massive hole it wont be able to get out.

If it barks whenever you let it out, i know this sounds cruel, but you can always get a shock collar for little dogs so it wouldn't hurt them a lot, but they usually teach them a lesson to not bark for no reason whenever it is let out. Or you could say "no!" but in a very strong, tough voice so it knows that you are serious. If that doesn't work, you can always spank it, but not too hard, just gently, and it is best to do it just above their nose, because dogs don't really like to be tapped or spanked above their nose. Yorkshires are also very well known to yap a lot. LoL That is probably why your one is noisy, my neighbour has a yorkie and sometimes it would be barking for the whole day.

Another option is you can take it to doggy school.

Make sure you don't spoil your dog too much even if it is very tempting to because it will just take advantage on you and would think that they are the alpha and you are the lower member of the pack.

Well anyways, have fun with it and good luck on training your dog. And i beat it is extremely cute because i love yorkies myself, we were going to get one but my dad didn't want a yorkie because he said they would be very noisy and are too small.

The 5 Best Dog Training Tips For You and Your Dog

• ok first thing You have a huge problem if you want to have a dog and not have "too much work involved" . In that case just find the dog another home because you might not be suitable to be a pet parent. The dog wants attention and his bored and that's why it finds ways to entertain itself. Try a class or read articles on training.


• Hi,
  
  You might want to teach your dog the basic obedience commands. They reinforce your role as your dog's leader. Using treats to lure your dog into the correct position or place, and then to reward her for obeying, is one of the easiest and most dog-friendly methods. here's more info:
  
  http://lnk.nu/dogtime.com/rzy.html


• fix ur dog. crate train it. walk your dog. and actually potty train it to go outside, and if u pick it up it pees then don't pick it up


• Sign up for Puppy Kindergarten, You need to learn to communicate with the puppy and he needs to learn to respect you.


• One of my all time favorite quotes is: "If you don't have time to train a dog, get a stuffed animal!"


• Take him to see a trained pet psychologist.


• All dogs like to be kept inside because they are social animals, but keeping a toy Yorkie outside just spells a recipe for disaster. They aren't outside dogs, have long hair, and are very fragile. It sounds like your dog needs a lot of interaction and exercise, and you should be consulting with a veterinarian on how to train your dog so that you are both happy--because right now he's not happy and neither are you.
  
  If all else fails, consider giving the puppy to someone who is more prepared to handle him--there are lots of breed-rescues that might be willing to rehome him. Keeping him outside is not right.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Dog training questions?

I have an adopted 2 1/2 year old male chihuahua who used to go to the bathroom all over the house and still sometimes poops in the house. I know its impossible to potty train small male dogs 100% but what can I do about this. He is walked right before we go to bed but we still wake up and find suprises sometimes. Also, I have spoiled him to the point where he needs to sleep with my boyfriend and I at night which doesn't bother me. I am going to start to crate train him and teach him to come to me when I call him. He does sometimes, but when he doesn't feel like it he runs away. I am going to try the crate training first or should I try the teaching him to come first and to listen and are there any websites I can check out? Thanks so much!

Basic Dog Training Commands - Improve Your Dog's Behavior

Recommended Answer:
It's not impossible to train small dogs, but it does require consistency and follow through.

You're already on the right track. Crating is the best solution.
Occasionally, one of my rat terriers will have an accident. When this happens, we sometimes have to be crated.

Crate your chi, then consider obedience classes. Also, make crating less stressful on yourself, but more importantly the dog. Use kong toys filled peanut butter or some other good treat to put in the crate. When you call him over to get into his crate each time, if you have a fun toy, or a treat, he won't associate crate time as a time for panic.

You want to try to turn the experience into something sort of positive while you iron out the kinks.

Dog Training: 7 Reasons Why You Should Do It Yourself

• It is NOT impossible to train small male dogs 100%. It simply requires patience and persistance on the part of the owner.
  
  You need to consider leashing the dog to you for a period of time. This will enable you to remember to watch the dog at all times when he is not crated. Watching the dog at all times will greatly aid in housetraining the dog. It will also disallow his ability to run off from you, thus enabling you to reward him consistantly for coming when you ask him to.
  
  You may want to consider obedience classes or hiring a trainer to assist you.


• I don't know that it's possible to train any animal for 100% results. I have a female chihuahua that still sometimes does her business indoors, but I think that's just because she doesn't want to bother with asking to go out (she's a little sneaky sometimes).
  
  I've trained my three dogs (2 females, 1 male) to go to the door. If we're not in the room where the door is, they'll usually come to where we are and sit and stare or bark (they just figured that worked). I think they've learned how to do this because I don't keep water down in the house. They can only get it outside. Since they definitely want water, they ask to go out. They learned how to ask to go out when they really want something, and that just kind of worked over to knowing they should do their business outside, and not indoors (because they really don't like my wild ranting when I find a present on my floor).
  
  There's also a self-help program you can check out at the link below that my help with more troublesome four-legged friends.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Dog Training?

I need some help here. I need to train my pups not to bark, and to lay down and roll over and certain things like that....any tips?

:) thanks..

Enroll Your Pet to Dog Training School to Modify Behavioral Problems

Recommended Answer:
For barking read this article, its long so I will not post it here
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pag…

For lay down get your dog to first sit, then with your hand bring it to his/her nose level and then bring it to the ground and say lay down..the idea is they will follow the hand to the ground. It may take a few tries. You can do it with a treat but keep teh treat inside your hand.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pag…
Has other tips on training ...I have yet to succeed or to here about a great way to teach a dog to roll over. Sorry that I am no help for that one

Information Is The Key - Same In Case Of Dog Trainings

• There are a lot of good training books out there, or, preferably, go to an obedience class. It would take way too long to break down everything here.
  
  As for tips: patience. These things can sometimes take weeks.
  
  (Thumbs up to "Canine Teacher.")


• give me a email! ill love to help! moh_airborne@yahoo.com
  
  ill probrably make videos and put them up on youtube so just give me a email some time!


• I'm sorry, all I know is how to teach a dog the calculus.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: I am looking for a trained service dog for bipolar disorder does anyone know how i can go about getting one?

i was given a letter from my psych doctor so i can get a service dog but i cannot find a dog trained for bipolar disorder. any ideas on where and how i go about getting one

Electronic Dog Training Collar

Recommended Answer:
You need to apply with a program. Which program will depend in large part on where you live. Here's an article on how to find a program that trains service dogs: http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content…

The typical wait time is about 3 years. Remember that it takes 18-24 months to actually train the dogs and the demand exceeds the supply, especially in these economic times. Most service dog programs these days are asking their clients to do some fund raising to offset the costs of procuring, vetting, and training the service dog. About $5,000 in fundraising is typical. A good program will assist the client with fundraising. Since the actual cost of the dog is typically $20,000 to $40,000 for a service dog, the rest of the cost is absorbed by charitable donations and volunteer workers.

Contrary to what one answerer said, there are real service dogs for people with psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder if it is severe enough to be disabling. Here's an article about them: http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content…

According to Federal regulatory law, "Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler´s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal´s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition."

Choosing The Best Dog Training Treats

• are you sure it is for a service dog or for an emotional support dog ??? big difference ... a service dog does a service like turn on lights, pick up the phone, lead a blind person ... an emotional support dog provides emotional support but is in no way a service dog, it is a dog that provides emotional support only ... a service dog is welcome anywhere, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. ... an emotional support dog, the only benefit is you could live somewhere that is no pets with the doctors note ... there is no service dog for bipolar, but people with bipolar can have emotional support dogs ... there is no special training for an emotional support dog other than some go through the good canine citizen training which is good if you plan to bring the dog with you everywhere ... curious what you would think a service dog for bipolar would be trained to do for you ???
  
  "Dogs used for emotional support, that are not task-trained, are called emotional support animals. They are not service dogs."


• Yes, there are such things as service dogs for people with bipolar disorder, and no they are aren't ESAs. They are called psychiatric service dogs or PSDs. They do do tasks/work like other types of service dogs. Very few doctors know the difference between a service dog, therapy dog, and ESA; much less how to go about getting one.
  
  Asker, you need to do a search for Psychiatric Service Dog Programs.


• Your psychiatrist/psychologist should know where to get a service dog if s/he is going to recommend one. But if not then call local veterinarians, trainers, etc. until you find someone who knows where to go, who to call, or just try looking it up online. Try a search for something like "Service Dog Trainers in Omaha, NE" and you should be able to find someone. You will also need to know what you want the dog to do for you...


• http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content…
  http://www.psychdog.org/
  http://www.freedomservicedogs.org/
  
  Use google and type in "service dogs (enter your location)".


• You didn't look hard enough. My first search brought this up.
  
  "service dogs for bipolar disorder" I used yahoo search
  
  http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=service…


• There's no such thing.

Read More...

Dog Health Questions: Help! This is a dog training question!!! How do I gget my dog to fetch???

My dog, mayDay, will NOT get a ball or toy or anything. She is a Female Coker Spaniel/Poodle mix. I threw her a ball made for jumping jacks, a little squishy ball, a football (though she is small) a little toy dog, a little rabbit, and she has only gone after a ball on or two balls AT A WALK. She will not get anything I through, except for treats. I have EVEN tried putting the squishy ball in her dog food so she would smell it. but she payed NO attention whatsoever. I'm desperate! How can I get her to fetch??

Online Dog Training and Puppy Training

Recommended Answer:
Maybe, throw it. It's mainly if your dog wants to or not.

How to Begin a Dog Training Career

• Some dogs just don't like to fetch so you have to teach them try throwing the ball a short distence then running after it yourself giggling and laughing and and clapping and calling Mayday then once you get to the ball if she still hasn't come roll the ball on the floor and pretend to play with it yourself you may look stupid but once she sees you chasing after the ball and having fun with is she may want to do it too!


• put the ball in a treat jar. it will absorb the treat smell. put the dog on a leash. when she goes and get the ball and if she will not come to you then slowly pull the dog to you. then praise the dog it will get the hang of it. to drop the ball i always lightly patted the nose.


• Some Dogs Are Too Proud To Fetch,They Feel You Threw It,You Go Get It..They'll Never Fetch


• A cocker/poodle mix is not exactly the best fetching dog around.They were not bred to fetch and it may be something you will never get her to do. If she has no intrest in the ball at all she most likely will never fetch.
  I have owned many dogs who would not fecth. Dobermans are not known for it either.


• You should start off by getting the dog to be interested in the ball, by rolling it to her, and when it picks it up, praise it alot. Then you can start with very short distances,like a foot, and praise it alot each time for showing interest. Dogs really want to please, mainly just be very patient, , also mybe trying a toy she already likes to play with to play fetch would work even better.


• Some dogs just don't have the strong retrieval instinct or drive. I don't know that there's anything you can do to "make" him enjoy playing fetch.
  
  I've known some dogs who, when you throw a ball or a stick for them to fetch, look at you like, "What, you expect me to go get it? If you wanted it that badly, you shouldn't have thrown it away in the first place."


• Try getting control of your self. Have Patience. not all dogs fetch by nature. read the book "Don't Shoot the Dog" by Karen Pryor for more on basic training techniques. training needs to be done when you are calm and can be patient with yoru dog try limiting the training periods to 5 to 10 minute and encourage any thing close to getting the ball at first and then requiring more action before you give encouragement until the dog brings you the ball you will see a change and an understanding when your dog finally understands what you want from it in this game. make it fun not a chore for you and your dog. seek a professional trainers help if needed and veterinary help regularly for your dog.


• Teach her to play at pulling with you. An old cloth or raggy dog toy is ideal. Sit on the floor & let her win the pulling games in the beginning by pretending that she pulling you along. When she is good at the game, take the toy & throw it a short distance. When she gets it you go & get it too & play tug of war. She will soon like to bring it towards you so she can play the game.


• start with the 'drop',
  Put the ball in her mouth, say 'drop it',when she spits it out,praise her, give her treats----
  
  pretty soon she will put it in her own mouth when you offer it--
  (you say 'get it',or 'fetch!' and praise her for grabbing the toy)
  so you can tell her 'drop it', and give her treats
  
  then pick it up off the ground--
  (same commands)
  then you can throw it a little ways-- etc
  
  IF she decides its a great game, fetch can become its own reward--


• You have to throw the toy and yell fetch and then go run and get it and come back. Keep doing that and eventually your dog should catch on to what she is supposed to do. You may feel a little awkward but if you want to get your dog so fetch that bad your going to have to do whatever it takes.


• Of course all of the other answers are good, but some dogs are visual learners. Grab a friend, go outside, and take your dog with you. Start playing catch with the friend and "ignoring" the dog. Eventually, she will want to get in on the fun too. Then you can start throwing it to her as well.

Read More...