Bulldog Problems: Is It Housebreaking Or Separation Anxiety?
Bulldog Problems: Is It Housebreaking Or Separation Anxiety?
Dear Adam:
I adopted Sophie, a 3-year old 60-lb female English Bulldog, four months ago.
The problem is twofold–one, she pees in the house (and occasionally poops, too), and two, being an incredibly strong dog, she easily butts her way out of ANY crate, from airline-style to an all-metal crate (and I even wired the latches shut, and strapped the crate to slider door handles!). I’ve tried leaving her in an enclosed space, but she busts up everything in the room in an attempt to get to a window (not a door!). She does have a urinary tract infection, and is on her third week of antibiotics to cure it. She hardly drinks any water. She’s taken out twice in the morning, a neighbor takes her out in the middle of the day, and she goes out twice in the evening. She has a very sweet nature, and is definitely insecure about being left alone.
Marilyn
P.S. Forgot to mention–evenings, weekends, or anytime I, or a friend, or any human being is with her, she’s fine, and doesn’t pee in the house.
Dear Marilyn:
Without knowing the dog, I can only take a shot in the dark. It sounds to me like your dog has separation anxiety.
Please read:
- My article on separation anxiety at http://www.dogproblems.com/articles.htm
- My article on housebreaking at http://www.dogproblems.com/housebreaking.htm
In the meantime, you’re going to have to buy a stronger crate. I would recommend doing a search on the internet. There are private companies that make such crates out of metal/stainless steel. I would call them on the phone and see if they feel that their crates would keep your dog confined and prevent him from hurting himself.
Always buy with a credit card, in case the product is inferior and they try to refuse to stand behind it.
That’s all for now, folks!
Adam
Dogproblems.com
Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History." Get a free copy of his report "Games To Play With Your Dog" when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: <a href="http://www.dogproblems.com" title="http://www.dogproblems.com" target="_blank">http://www.dogproblems.com</a>
Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is one of the smallest of the terrier dog group. It was originally bred in Australia around 1885 as a working dog to guard mines and to tend sheep. The Australian Terrier is a healthy and hardy breed. They are long-living to 15 years or more and free of any major hereditary defects.
They have a rough-textured straight coat 2in. to 3in. long with colorings ranging from silver- or blue-black through to tan with a distinctive soft-haired topknot on their head.
The Australian Terrier is tough and cheeky, and stands 9in to 11in high. However, like many other terrier breeds, in its own mind it is a much larger dog and is quite fearless. It is energetic and loyal and will display great affection to its family. It is confident and curious, has keen hearing and eyesight and therefore makes a useful watchdog. Because it likes to please its master is can be more easily trained than some other terriers.
Unlike many other terrier breeds the Australian Terrier does not usually display aggression towards other dogs although they may chase small animals outside the home. They can occasionally display wariness towards strangers although they are not excessively suspicious. They travel well and can be somewhat easier to train than other terrier types although their training needs to be strict; their self-assured nature can make them want to follow their own ideas rather than yours!
Australian terriers make good apartment dogs. They are adaptable and will remain active indoors but will require outdoor exercise and, like all terriers, need to be walked on a leash due to their tendency to chase other animals.
The Australian Terrier sheds little or no hair and will not require clipping except perhaps around the eyes and ears when blunt-nosed scissors should be used. Regular brushing is recommended. This will stimulate natural oil secretion from the skin which will help to develop a high gloss to the coat. Clip the toenails regularly. Australian Terriers do not require washing more than once a month. More frequent washing will tend to make their tough coat go lank.
Your Australian Terrier will consider himself to be a part of your family and will be a loyal and loving companion.
Visit the <a href="http://australianterrier.blogspot.com">Australian Terrier</a> blog for tips on grooming and caring for your Australian Terrier and if you are interested in Bedlington Terriers check out the <a href="http://bedlingtonterrier.blogspot.com/">Bedlington Terrier</a> blog
Bad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? Part 2
Bad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? Part 2 By Danny Presswood On the Popular TV series COPS they play a song which says, in part, Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you? Many people bring home an adorable, cute puppy that eventually grows into a dog. Without proper training, some of those dogs become destructive and eventually the owners shrug their shoulders and say Bad Dog, Bad Dog, whatcha gonna do? Hopefully, those people will read articles like this one, Bad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? Part 1, and others like them before they do the unthinkable and call the Dog Police to take their beloved pet to the pound! In Bad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? Part 1 we explained the Dog Pack instinct, and the Alpha Dog mentality, and gave suggestions on how to reprogram your dog so that he/she knows that you are the Alpha dog. You can find that article in the Dog Articles Feature at K-9 Outfitters, A Division of Damascus Road Enterprises - www.Damascus-Road-Enterprises.com In addition to those Alpha Dog techniques, there are other things you can do to help alleviate your bad dog behavior. This article will teach you ways to deprogram your misbehaving dog so you can retrain him properly and thus facilitate a more harmonious relationship between family and pet. But before we proceed, if you suffer from bad dog syndrome with your family pet, make sure there isn t an underlying medical condition. Take your dog to the vet, explain your problem, and ensure he/she is healthy, and doesn t suffer from dental, intestinal, digestion, parasitic, or other problems. Once you find that your dog is indeed healthy, implement the following suggestions. 1. Read other articles, magazines, ezines, and books on dogs, training and behavior. The more you know the better trainer you ll be. 2. Be consistent. Just like a child, your dog will notice your inconsistencies, and will test your mettle by pushing the boundaries to determine who is really in control. Do it the same way every time. 3. Earn your dog s respect. Be firm and fair in training and discipline. Never resort to violence. Positive reinforcement techniques have always proven the more successful training method. Your dog s submission to you should always be out of respect, not fear. 4. Spend quality time with your dog. Interact with your dog. Quite often, the cause of misbehavior in dogs is similar to that in children. They are simply looking for QUALITY TIME, ATTENTION and LOVE. Remember all the love and attention you gave that sweet, adorable puppy? Well, your adult dog still craves that same love and attention. Just be careful when giving that attention to a problem dog, to always retain your alpha status. 5. During training sessions, always maintain eye contact with your dog until he turns away. That way he knows you are the master and he is submissive to you. I once maintained eye contact with a strong-willed Brittany for 12 minutes before he finally looked away. Demand your dog s attention during short training sessions. (A dog s attention span is a maximum of ten to fifteen minutes). As examples, command your dog to heel, and then look at you before commencing a walk. Or make your dog sit or lie down before getting treats. 6. Give your dog plenty of exercise. Take her for a thirty minute walk ” the exercise will do you good, give her the attention she deserves, and tire her out so she prefers to rest instead of wreaking havoc! Dogs are a bundle of bounding energy. They can t help it, God wired them that way! Give them an outlet for that energy. If you live in the woods like I do, let them out to run and play. (However, I always pen them up at night either outside in a fence with dog houses, or I kennel them inside in cages and kennel crates with crate pads or beds). Take your dog to a park, or better yet, one of those fancy new dog parks where dogs are allowed to play and socialize. Let your dog out in a fenced yard, or if you don t have or don t like a fenced yard, get an electronic fence and containment system, so your dog knows the boundaries of where they can and can t go safely. K-9 Outfitters, A Division of Damascus Road Enterprises - www.Damascus-Road-Enterprises.com has some great inside and outside electronic dog containment systems, kennel crates, cages, pads, and beds. 7. Feed your dog a high protein, well balanced diet. Sometimes, dog misbehavior is simply a result of hunger and/or malnutrition. I suggest looking for food with meat and rice as the first ingredients, rather than corn meal and meat by-products. I also suggest a protein content of 24-30% and fat content of 10-18%. This will ensure a strong, healthy dog with a shiny coat. 8. Remove temptation. Put trash cans and people food out of the dog s reach. If you have a destructive dog, put him in the yard or in a kennel crate or cage while you are at work or gone from the house. If you let him out to do his business in the morning before you leave for work, he will be fine in an appropriately sized kennel cage or crate with pillow pad until you return. If needed, you can find sizing guidelines and the appropriate kennel crates, cages, carriers, pads, beds, and other supplies at K-9 Outfitters, A Division of Damascus Road Enterprises - www.Damascus-Road-Enterprises.com. 9. If needed, use appropriate training tools. Although choke collars should be a thing of the past because of the possible danger of injury to your dog s larynx, an electronic collar is a humane training tool that can provide an appropriate negative signal, followed by your positive reinforcement for right behavior. With proper use, in a short time just wearing the collar brings appropriate good behavior. Very few things are more disturbing to a dog lover that seeing your beloved pet run out into the street and get hit by a car, or watching your $1000 bird dog run over the hill never to be seen again. However, if you know your limitations and feel you cannot handle the job yourself, you can find many reputable dog trainers who specialize in behavior problems. Your local vet can probably assist you if needed. 10. Finally, be patient. Positive training and dog behavior modification takes time. Your dog will soon begin to behave in a more positive manner if you follow these helpful suggestions. Hopefully, these ideas and suggestions, along with a better understanding of who your dog is, will soon move you from saying Bad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? to saying, Good Dog, Good Dog, Oh How I Love You! You can find all the AWESOME products you need for training and spoiling your special dog at K-9 Outfitters, a Division of Damascus Road Enterprises ” www.Damascus-Road-enterprises.com.
Danny Presswood is a retired US Army Combat (Airborne) Chaplain. He and his wife Cheri live in the wooded Ozarks hills of SW MO, where he can be reached at BlessedByCalvary@aol.com or (417) 461-0800. Presently working on his Doctorate, Danny writes the Dog Articles Feature K-9 Outfitters, A Division of Damascus Road Enterprises http://www.Damascus-Road-Enterprises.com K-9 Outfitters offers a plethora of AWESOME discount, luxury, unique, and Handmade in the USA Online Dog Supplies.
Only dog food is not enough
The main problem with dog food is the dearth of digestive enzymes, beneficial and delicate vitamins that are so very important for the balanced growth of your dog. Though major dog food producers make every effort to provide a balanced diet of proper nutrients in digestible form, they fail on many counts. One of the main reasons why manufactured dog food fails to be up to mark is the heating process that includes its manufacture. Commercial dog foods are heat processed during their manufacture which in process destroys the beneficial bacteria and digestive enzymes your dog needs. The extreme heat is also the reason for destroying a host of other delicate and useful nutrients. Even the finest, most dietary dog food on the market fails to provide all the essential vitamins and nutrients dogs need to flourish healthily. The gap between what your dog needs and what commercial dog food provides leads to deficiencies which are the cause of issues with your dog s digestive tract and immune system. Over time, these deficiencies show up as symptoms such as hot spots, infections, itchy skin, etc. and lead to: Weight loss Gas problems Joint pain Ear problems Allergies Stool eating Shedding Itching Scratching Skin problems Bad dog odor Bad dog breath Now the question that arises is Why does it happen? The answer is simple. They all are starting with the same deficiency as the dog food lacks digestive enzymes, delicate nutrients or live bacterial cultures. This is what sets the stage for dog food supplement. The dog food supplements are full of vital dog vitamins and nutrients that keeps the dog healthy and away from all other dog health problems. Being a responsible and concerned dog owner, you should be giving your dog a food supplement that has just the right mix of live good bacteria, digestive enzymes, delicate nutrients and vitamins that are necessary for its internal balance for keeping it healthy. The best dog food supplement contains good and balanced amounts of bacteria, digestive enzymes, delicate nutrients and vitamins. Digestive enzymes are complex proteins formed in plant or animal cells involved in digestion that stimulate chemical changes in other substances working as organic catalysts to alter or speed up the assimilation of specific nutrients. The catalytic effect of these enzymes is very nutrient specific. Some of the enzymes work on specific starches, some on specific proteins and some on others fats. Without these digestive enzymes acting as catalysts, nutrients just pass right on through, unutilized. The dog food supplements are a rich source of nutrients in a form that your dog can use to grow, be energetic and be capable of repairing its own body. Nutrients are chemicals ingested by living organisms that are necessary for basic survival. The basic nutrients that are required for cellular survival are protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Extreme heat is the main cause of destruction of healthy and essential nutrients in commercial dog food. Dog food supplements also contain bacteria that are essential to keep your dog healthy. These bacteria keep the other harmful bacteria and yeast in check, thereby aiding digestion, boosting the immune system, and increasing resistance to infection. These bacteria function is several ways. They produce organic compounds that change the pH balance which acts as a deterrent for the survival of harmful, disease causing bacteria and yeast. They also produce compounds that act as natural antibiotics. Most of today s commercial dog food disturbs the internal balance of your dog s body. The solution is to use the right dog food supplement that helps in improving and maintaining your dog’s good health so as to restore his internal balance. When these supplements are added to your dog’s diet; digestive enzymes, bacteria and delicate nutrients work to restore the balance that are missing in your dog’s food. If a natural dog food supplement meets your dog’s nutritional needs, your emotional needs, and your budget, then as a caring and responsible owner, you should buy it. It s a small price you would pay for a healthy and energetic dog. I recommend Dr.Harvey dog food.
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Can You Really Teach An Old Dog New Tricks… Also, Dog Owner Invents Training Techniques
Adam,
I received a surprise Christmas present last year in the form of a 4 year old female shepherd mix that my wife and daughter decided I needed to replace my long time pet who had to be put down last summer. She really is a beautiful dog, but the shelter fibbed to us when they said she was good with other dogs and cats. She has been rather aggressive with them. We are 6 months into this relationship now and she is much better. I guess she is more secure now.
The one problem I have not solved is her desire to run out the door and ignore our “come” commands. All this is to ask you: Will the techniques in your book and video series work on an older dog? I’d rather not invest the money in a lost cause. We live in the Arizona desert and she won’t last long this summer if she gets out and runs off again. I’ve looked through many of your newsletters, but didn’t find any mention of age.
Thanks for your help.
Larry
Dear Larry:
Thank you for the e-mail.
Yes, the dog training techniques work on all dogs, as long as they are healthy and do not have any mobility problems.
In many cases, training an older dog is easier than training a younger dog, despite the saying that “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” there is definitely something to be said about maturity.
—
Dear Adam:
Please help! I am ready to give away my 6mo. old Maltese. I grew up with one of these dogs- the most gentle and affectionate dog I’d ever met so I bought one for my family at great expense. I tried to find a good breeder and had the dog shipped.
The problem is this - He growls and snaps at my 4 year old whenever he tries to pet him or pick him up, or if I’m watching saying, “Good dog, no growl, it’s OK.. ” he will not growl but struggle to get away and growl as soon as he’s down. He has bitten when I was not watching.
I tried the advice in your book and that given by others on the discussion group. For a long while my son was the only one to feed the dog, I kept him off the furniture and the kids owned the toys. Nothing seemed to help, so recently I’ve been grabbing him firmly by the scruff and growling “No” at him, then putting him in a small room by himself for several minutes. Today when I went to correct him he snapped and growled at me! He is now frightened of me and I am angry at him.
The most upsetting thing for me is that I wanted this dog to be a friend for my son like mine was for me when I was young. My son is a gentle, quiet boy who loves animals and is saddened my this. Is there any hope?
Signed,
Stewart
Dear Stewart:
I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a complete jerk, but… PAY ATTENTION AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS!
The one thing you apparently HAVEN’T DONE is to CORRECT THE DOG’S UNWANTED BEHAVIOR!!! The ‘pulling on the scruff of the neck’ is only for young puppies, 8 to 10 weeks old. It’s ineffective for older dogs.
For correcting older dogs, I spend much of the book explaining the benefits of the pinch collar. Remember the concept of motivation? Remember the notion of associating a negative/correction with the dogs unwanted behavior? Remember how I teach you to look at the corrections you’re giving and decide if they’re motivational or not? Remember page 23, page 38, page 59, page 62, page 155, page 173, page 174, page 181, page 226, page 241, and page 260 ?
I’ll quote from the book, “After you correct the dog, immediately tempt him to do the behavior again. Offer him the choice: If he does the behavior again then most likely your first correction wasn’t motivational… If he refuses to do the behavior, then praise him - as he’s just made the RIGHT DECISION.” [Page 156.]
Now, if you have a specific question about how to implement any of these techniques… then that’s another issue. But telling me that you’re confining the dog in a bedroom as some sort of “Time Out” technique is NOT something you’ve found in my book. And neither is, “”Good dog, NO growl, it’s OK…”
Again, I’ll repeat: Praise the dog only when he makes the right decision (staying calm). Do not tell him, “No growl,” if he’s already being quiet. This is SOOOO CONFUSING TO THE DOG.
It’s very simple:
The dog does something good = You say, “Good dog,” and praise. The dog does something bad = You say, “No!” and administer a correction with the leash and collar.
I can only speculate why your question is not more along the lines of, “This is what happened when I corrected my dog using the pinch collar and tab for this obnoxious behavior.”
The only reason I’m being so blunt about this issue is that it’s a central theme throughout the book. I stress over and over again the elements of timing, consistency and motivation. In fact, many readers have commented that my repetition of this concept is sometimes tedious.
Once you can explain to me how specifically you’ve used timing, consistency and motivation and applied these elements to your dilemma, you will (perhaps surprisingly) find yourself in the position of explaining to ME how you will have fixed your dog’s obnoxious behavior.
That’s all for now, folks!
Adam
Dogproblems.com
Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History." Get a free copy of his report "Games To Play With Your Dog" when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: <a href="http://www.dogproblems.com" title="http://www.dogproblems.com" target="_blank">http://www.dogproblems.com</a>
Pick the Right Veterinarian in Louisville Using this Top 10 List
Are you looking for a veterinarian? Knowing how to pick the right vet is crucial for your pets health and well being. In fact, when it comes to pets health, choosing the right veterinarian should be your top priority. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a vet for your pet.Remember that grabbing the yellow pages and getting the closest veterinarians is not a proper way. Se
Horse Breeds - American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse is the first breed of horse native to the United States. The breed evolved when the bloodlines of horses brought to the New World were mixed. Foundation American Quarter Horse stock originated from Arab, Turk and Barb breeds. Selected Stallions and Mares were crossed with horses brought to Colonial America from England and Ireland in the 1600 s. This combination resulted in a compact, heavily muscled horse that evolved to fill the colonists passion for short distance racing.
The amazing power behind a quarter horse enabled this great animal to run short distances over a straightaway faster than any other horse with the fastest being named Celebrated American Running Horse. The names for this breed has changed many times over the years until 1940 when a registry was formed to preserve the breed which officially became the American Quarter Horse Association.
In the year 1674 in Enrico County, Virginia the first American Quarter Horse Race was held. They were one-on-one match races down village streets, county lanes and level pastures. Many disagreements and fights were generated from heavy betting of large purse races by 1690.
The American Quarter Horse, due to their calm disposition and quick response time, the horse became known for its cow sense , being able to outmaneuver cattle. During the 1800 s as many pioneer folk moved westward, so did the American Quarter Horse. An abundant amount of cattle ranches stretched across the plains. Making this breed well suited for the cattle ranchers.
In today s world, the American Quarter Horse still remains a great sprinter known for their heavy muscling, but they have exceeded way past the cattle horse. These amazing horses compete in almost every discipline available, from rodeo events, such as barrel racing and calf roping to English disciplines such as dressage and show jumping. The make a nice little children s hunter as well, with the ability to jump a wide range of heights. They are one of the most versatile breeds in the world.
Many pleasure riders still look to the American Quarter horse for recreational riding, as they make a nice pleasure horse as well.
Breeders, since the creation of the breed over fifty years ago, have diligently been trying to perfect the bloodlines to produce a high quality versatile animal.. Strict guidelines have been set by the American Quarter Horse Association regarding registration of the American Quarter Horses. Some of these guidelines include:
1. Limited white markings on the face and below the knee
2. Only thirteen accepted colors recognized by the AQHA. These are sorrel (reddish brown), bay, black, brown, buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, grullo, palomino, red roan and blue roan. The official gray color is what most people call white, but there are no white American Quarter Horses.
3. A quarter horse foal must be the product of a numbered American Quarter Horse dam and a numbered American Quarter Horse sire. There is an appendiz registry for foals with one numbered American Quarter Horse parent and one Throughbred parent registered with The Jockey Club.
Some other notable characteristics of the American Quarter Horse is their speed, versatility, gentle nature, heavy muscling and keen cow sense.
If you own an American Quarter Horse, no matter what discipline you choose to ride, your horse will excel. This breed is one of the most enjoyable horse breeds around today and one of the most popular.
Nanette Hughston is a freelance writer from the southern United States Region. She has a bachelor s degree in finance. She rides dressage with Grand Prix Level Trainer, Tracy Masterson at Highlife Farms, Orlando, FL. For more information and articles please see her website at http://www.dressageamerica.com and http://www.informbyweb.com and to visit her training site, please visit http://www.highlifefarms.com for dressage and hunter/ jumper information. Permission for reprint is granted with full bio remaining intact.
Pets At Home
Many people have pets, and most of these people adore their pets. But what happens when you need to go out for a weekend, do you leave your pets at home? This can be done, there are time release food containers and the suchlike that can help you in your endeavors. Then there are also appropriate kitty litter trays that will deal with the whole mess and odor problem without a fuss. Or for a dog you could always have a dog flap installed, especially if you have a fenced in garden.
Of course this approach also works for cats, although the fenced in garden might not be a deterrent as cats are notoriously independent and like to roam the streets. If you don t want to take this chance then you could always take your cat with you, or leave it with some willing friends or even a shelter for a few days.
If you ve got birds then it s not such a problem leaving these pets at home as they ll be quite alright as long as you top up their feed and water. If it s for longer than a day or two though, you might want to consider releasing them into a ventilated room from which they can t escape. This will give them the chance to stretch their wings and will be greatly beneficial to their state of mind.
Most animals are highly sensitive and will react adversely if you leave your pets at home for too long. They might even become ill through various conditions that prevail while you re not in the house to oversee their needs. There are other ways to deal with this and if you know that you ll only be gone for a short while, then you could always ask a friend or neighbor to come and check up on the pets at home.
If you re going away for a longer time than a week though you really shouldn t leave your pets at home as this can only lead to disaster. Not only will your home be wrecked by the time you get back, your pets will be pining for you, yes even your cat, and they might have gotten to all the food quickly and not have had anything to eat other than your shoes for the past few days.
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