How can I leave my dog home alone without her behaving badly.?
I have several problems with my 1 year old boxer girl. I feel trapped inside my own house. I have to bring her everywhere I go or have someone watch her everytime I want to go somewhere. If she is left alone she goes to the bathroom in the house or destroys things. I have tested her several times and shes a devil everytime. I do not have a crate but one time I left and decided to keep her in my large master bathroom while I left for only twenty minutes (i figured it was kind of like being in a crate at the time) well when I got home I realized she freaked out. I tried opening the door and she locked herself inside. When I busted the door open there was poop everywhere (walls, towels, sink, shower, toilet and on her!) and she ripped whatever she could apart. I need to be able to leave my home without worrying about her. I NEED A LIFE, i cant even go out to get milk! Everyones saying get a crate, but shes been in a crate before and went to the bathroom in it.
I'm having second thoughts about owning this breed of dog, any advice... (details enclosed)?
I am still having second thoughts. I want to participate in Agility or Flyball with the dog, but I would get a puppy, and by the time the puppy was old enough, I may not have enough time to spend with it. Also, I am fourteen now, I'll be fifteen by the time we get the dog, so I would not have much time before I head off to University (yes I live in Australia), and because Tollers are one-person dogs, usually, the dog might not cope with me being away, and also I am not sure my mother would be able to keep up the care of my dog and our cats all at once. I really am undecided now. I've compared the good points and bad points of owning a Toller, and it's about even. My options at this stage are: a) Continue, and buy the Toller anyway b) Get another type of dog, maybe a Golden Retriever, now, and get a Toller when I have more time/experience c) Don't get any dog now, because I fear that if I get a dog other than a Toller, I may be disappointed, and get a Toller when I'm older.
Serious question about "alpha dog" training?
If you want to have your dog up on the furniture, then IMO, that is just fine! It is a personal choice. A good way to make sure that your dog doesn't turn into a brat over it, or assume a higher "status" than you, is to train the dog *only* to get up on the furniture when *you*, the 'boss' or 'leader', invites him/her up. Good luck with your pup! Add: Kip's Mom, great minds! Generally, a relationship where you and your dog have mutual respect for each other, and where your dog understands its boundaries, is a healthy one. There isn't need to constantly be "alpha-ing" your dog, making him/her submit, etc. Your dog should still be strong and confident in his/her behaviour, but should be respectful and courteous to you and other family members. If you are consistent, train the dog well and show good leadership, then everything else will fall into place. Add: I know you want facts and not opinions, but in reality, the dog world is full of opinions and little factual information. Every dog is different, and will require (to an extent) training to be tailored to their individual needs. If you find that the dog is challenging you for "status" after having been let up on the bed, then that is when you would discontinue that privilege. I have known many, many well-balanced, respectful dogs that have furniture privileges. It isn't the specific privilege that makes a dog challenge your authority, but rather the overall rapport between you and the dog, and how you demonstrate leadership in his every day life. My tip to you as a future dog owner is to keep in mind that too much Caser Milan has the potential to destroy your relationship with your dog. There is no "one size fits all" way to raise a dog, you've got to learn about all sorts of different methods and go with what works best for *your* dog. Find yourself a good, experienced trainer who you trust, and sign up for obedience classes when your puppy is 16-20 weeks old, and be prepared to alter your methods as needed.
How do I get my poodle to behave?
It is pointless just LETTING your dogs out for their last pees and poos, or before you leave them. You must take your dogs OUT and stay OUT with them until they perform, then go overboard with praise. If you fail to do this, your dogs will either wake you up because they need to go out, or they will defecate in the house. I have had dogs for several years that have been trained from a very early age. However I always TAKE my adult dogs out for their last pees and poos. Even well trained dogs, don’t know when it’s their last change before bedtime to get a pee or a poo and they don’t know when you intend to go out. CLEANING UP AFTER ACCIDENTS. After a dog has urinated or defecated in the house, obviously you will clean this up. Perhaps you think that you have got rid of the smell and your friends will possibly confirm this, however your dog will still be aware of a smell. Your dog thinks that your house is a lavatory/toilet; dogs have a much greater sense of smell than we have. There is a washing machine powder called Ariel get the BIOLOGICAL version Or get some special cleaning solution from the pet shop and clean your floor with this. You must also re-clean the cage, the floor under the cage and the blankets. When you are sure that you have cleaned every part of the floor that your dog has pooed or peed on do the following. When your dog urinates outside and when it is in full flow use a catch phrase I say “get one”, always use the same catch phrase when your dog obliges. Praise profusely afterwards, let your dog sniff around the garden or yard and play with it. Use your catchphrase for the rest of your dog’s life and when it’s an adult it will pee on command. If your dog urinates on the floors or carpets that you have cleaned, you have not cleaned them enough and you will need to do them again. NEVER EVER USE PINE DISINFECTANT OR BLEACH BECAUSE THIS ENCOURAGES A DOG TO URINATE,
How do I train my dog not to poop inside the house?
There is only one way and it take patience and repetition. When your dog pees in the house do one of two things:If you catch the dog in the act, hustle it straight outside immediately do not wait for it to finish. Do not freak out or make a fuss. Outside when he finishes .. make a fuss praising him for a job well done. If he doesn’t finish, stay out until either he does or it becomes evident he won’t. If he does make a fuss of praise.If you do not catch him in the act, just clean it up. Do not make a fuss or try to punish your dog, he won’t understand.Closely watch your dog at all times and crate him when you can’t. Your dog will send signals that he needs to go and when he does scoot him right outside fast. Every time you catch him doing his business outside make a big fuss of praise.It is helpful to monitor their food and water intake. Take him out immediately after each feeding and at least every 2 hours ( depending on age and ability of dog to hold it) to pee. Make a fuss with every successful business.Dogs respond best to positive stimuli. He will soon learn that going outside results in great benefit to him ( feel free to use treats) whereas going inside gets him nothing. He will learn to go for the positive. This may take time and does take patience and control of your temper ( you will want to strangle him before you’re done). Just keep doing it and he will learn. If your dog is a new puppy, this may take up to a year depending on your perseverance and vigilance, it is a puppy, a baby. It takes time for their brains and bladders to develop. This is the most tried and true method and it does work, how well depends on you. Good luck, the frustration is well worth it and soon forgotten. BTW … young dogs, especially, need to chew. Ensure they have something to chew on other than expensive italian leather shoes….
Is it okay to leave a Labrador Retriever at home alone for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week?
Not if he is too young below 6 months of age I suppose. A very important note:- before leaving your dog alone for 8 hours a good morning exercise is extremely extremely important for at least 30–40 minutes . For example Everyday I get up early and go straight to dog park with my dog. There I meet other dog owners and my dog plays with their dogs and releases his energy.Then he sleeps almost entire day in the house.Yes you can leave your dog. That’s totally normal. Take few points into consideration before leaving your dog alone in the house. Basically puppy proof your house. These things I did in my starting months when I left him(pup) alone. He is 1 year and 6 months now , very calm and no problem dog. But he was super energetic puppy once who chewed few things .No dangerous object should be kept around or at a reachable distance. Like chocolates, sharp objects, garlic/onions etc.Keep his food or treats out of his reach. Your bread , cookies and anything eatable also. He can eat them all which can cause food bloat in his stomach.It’s nice to inform the neighbors casually that you leave your dog at home for any sort of emergency situations.It’s nice to have a portable dog toilet like “pet loo” in his younger age. Puppies pee a lot and my golden retriever pup used his pet loo till he turned 11 months. Just before his first birthday he stopped peeing on his toilet. PET LOO-my saviorDo not leave anything expensive outside like shoes , sunglasses or anything chewable for him that you’ll regret afterwards. I have lost my sunglasses and a pair of beautiful boots. Now he never chews but teething time was terrible for my shoes.Start leaving him for 1 hour then 2–3 hours for first few days. You can go shopping or for any kind of work. Then increase the time. I did the same. It worked .If you can afford a dog walker then it will be the best thing . He/she will come and walk your dog for 30 minutes in the evening/afternoon time. Have fun with you furbaby and All the best !!!
How can I kep my dog from digging holes under my backyard fence? She keeps getting out.?
It really depends on how much you want to spend. What I did was to dig a ditch the size of the run I wanted, say you make a pen or run that is 12 X 12 you would dig a ditch that big fill with quik dry concrete (one section at a time) put the fence sections into the wet concrete and pound them in a little deeper with a hammer so they are stable and level. Most fence sections are a little longer at the ends that's what you are pounding into the ground for stability. You can use any kind of fence sections from Home Depot etc. but I used some rebar and sections of chain link fence. I know this sound very obvious but don't forget to have some sort of gate to make entry and exit easy. Even a pugnacious little Puggle can't dig through concrete or chew through chain link and she'll have her own little yard. A dog house filled with chew toys of her own where she can get out of the rain and sun or just hang out won't hurt either. I don't know if you watch the Dog Whisper but he teaches and I agree that the best way to get rid of all that energy is a long daily walk, you can bond with your pup , lose weight and get healthy at the same time. As for the chewing she is still a pup and is probably still teething. Have patience and Good luck!
How to discipline a dog for peeing in the house?
Don’t punish your dog. This is counter productive and will make things worse. Firstly, is your dog a puppy? Has it ever been housetrained? Is it getting enough excercise and attention? If it’s an adult it may have an underlying medical problem. Take it to a vet for a check up. Ruling out any medical reason, stick to the following plan no matter the age of your dog.take the dog outside first thing in the morning, after every meal, periodically throughout the day and last thing at night. Stay outside with your dog until it toilets, this may take up to 5–10 minutes-do not shut the door and leave it outside alone.each time your dog toilets outside, give it LOADS of praise, over excited happy praise, then bring it inside for a food treat. If your dog does not toilet outside, just bring it back inside, just say nothing. No treats no praise. But also NO telling off.when your dog toilets inside. SAY NOTHING, no shouting, no scolding and DEFINITELY NO SMACKING. These acts will either make your dog anxious which result in a scared (or aggressive) dog which is likely to House soil more often. Just quietly-saying nothing- clear it up.BE CONSISTENT. This is key. If you are, the dog will quickly understand that something nice happens when it toilets outside. This may take weeks, sometimes even months, but it does work if you stay consistent. Please don’t think that it will understand that something bad happens if it toilets inside therefore it will stop, that’s not how it works, fear and confusion make for an unhappy dog.Good luck!
My dog won't stop asking to go out.What should I do?
She is one year old and is pretty well behaved.When I leave her at home alone I crate her,she also sleeps all night until I get up without using the bathroom.However once were up she wants outside every 5 minutes.She drives me crazy!I'm afraid if I don't let her out she will start using the bathroom in the house again.If someone can help me with this please tell me what I can do?